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 usually emptied right out the windows or doors, into the alley or street. The slaughtering was done right in the street as well, with the scraps just tossed into the road. The local hogs or wild dogs were used as street cleaners. They would just wander around and usually eat up the scraps, what ever the left was eaten by wild birds. The sewers were also open and left to run into the Thames.Most of Chaucers life was spent at the open 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 was home to many in Chaucers time such as courtiers, pages, knights, nobles, and of course the King and Queen. Chaucer quickly raised 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 and fell in Chaucers life time. He began his life in the Kings service in the reign of Edward III, and performed his service to him for a long time. He was captured by the French and ransomed in one of Edward IIIs campaigns during the Hundred Years war- (1359) (76) which was usually an honor for only noble men. By 1378 Edward III had died, and Chaucer was the man of Richard IIThe country was caught up in a political battle between the nobles of Gloucester and Lancaster. The actions of these two nobles had Chaucers life constantly changing around him. The only Stable item in Chaucers life was religion. The institution of religion, the church, was quite prominent and visible. Cathedrals dotted the cities of the world, and even the smallest towns had at least one church. The glory of the Church may even have outshined the royal court. Cathedrals were brilliant with magn...
