Tell me about the age of Chaucer?

In the
"Canterbury Tales"describes an age that was much different to our own modern one in
terms of social practices, customs and beliefs - and his depiction of them makes very
entertaining reading. The church played a far more powerful role in influencing people, society
and state than it does now, and was often accused of using religion and scare stories to cowe
the people into submission, as well as improve their souls and chances of getting into heaven.
These chances were improved still further if you were free enough, and well-off enough to to be
able to gain more brownie points along the way in your path on earth! One way to avoid the
dreadful fires of hell, torturing devils and evil smug looking gargoyles (replicated at every
turn on churches!) was to undertake a pligrimage of repentance and forgiveness - such as the
popular little jaunt to Canterbury!