t into the road, effectively narrowing it by up to half its width. London Bridge (the only bridge in the city) was home to a multitude of homes and shops, perched on top of the span to conserve space.Waste was disposed of simply. It was emptied out the windows into the alley or street and slaughtering was done in he streets as well, with scraps being tossed underfoot. Hogs were often used to keep the streets clean, but were assisted by wild dogs and scavenger birds. Open sewers ran through the streets and into the Thames.Most of the rest of Chaucers life was open at the courts of the king of England. Here a startling change was apparent. The filth of the streets disappeared, to be replaced by the splendor so often associated with royalty.The royal court of England was home to many in Chaucers time. Courtiers, pages, knights, nobles, princes, and of course the King and Queen. Chaucer rose through the ranks of the kings men, experiencing all aspects of court life. He was a page, squire, court-bard, counselor and finally courtier to various monarchs.Many kings rose an fell in his lifetime. Chaucer began his life in the kings service in the reign of Edward III, and performed his service a long while. He was important enough to Edward that he was personally ransomed after being captured by the French in the war between Edward and Charles, an honor usually reserved for nobles.By 1378 Edward III had died, and Chaucer was the man of Richard II. The country was caught up in a political battle between the nobles of Gloucester and Lancaster. The actions of these two nobles sent Chaucer reeling , his world constantly changing about him.The only stable item in Chaucers world was religion. The institution of religion, the church, was quite prominent and visible. Cathedrals dotted the cities of the world, and even the smallest town had a church.The glory of the Church may even have outshone that of the royal court. Cathedrals were bril...
