Most of Chaucer's works contain references to famous historical, classical, and mythical figures. This trend is true in Chaucer's Book of the Duchess. The most surprising thing is that the Black Knight plays an important role in the story. Because of the character's emotional state and his personal connection to Chaucer, The Black Knight proves to be an intriguing character in Chaucerian studies. By examining the historical context of The Black Knight, the reader better understands Chaucer's purpose in writing the story, while also allowing for an in-depth analysis of the allusions made within the text. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To examine the historical context of the Black Knight, you need to know who Chaucer is referring to in that allusion. It is widely stated that Chaucer intends for the audience to know that The Black Knight is John of Gaunt, "the third son of King Edward III and King Philippa" (Rossignol 192). During his lifetime, which lasted from 1340 to 1399, John of Gaunt was Earl of Richmond and Duke of Lancaster (Dictionary of the Middle Ages 7:134). Due to his high social status, it is evident that John of Gaunt was a well-known figure in Chaucer's time. According to the Dictionary of the Middle Ages, John of Gaunt was "the leading magnate of England", following his marriage to Blanche of Lancaster (7:135). Likewise, "in 1370 John played an important part in the affairs of England", although he lost popularity later in his life due to his support of John Wyclif (7:135). After Blanche's death, John eventually remarried two more times, finally marrying his mistress, Katherine Swynford, which made John Geoffrey Chaucer's brother-in-law (7:135). It is clear that John of Gaunt was not only a figure well known to Chaucer's readers, but also to Chaucer himself. While it is evident that Chaucer was aware of the basic facts (and perhaps more) of John's life, it is pertinent to examine how and why Chaucer includes the Black Knight in his Book of the Duchess. Chaucer includes John of Gaunt as the Black Knight in an attempt to turn the tables on the traditional dream view. The dreamer meets the Black Knight in his dream. During his dream, he becomes "the war of a man dressed in black" who is extremely lovesick (lines 445-470). While a typical dream vision would include the dreamer seeking guidance from a guide he meets on his journey, Chaucer uses the lovesick character of the Black Knight as a twist on the guide who, in The Duchess's Book, receives advice from the dreamer himself. Throughout the play, the Black Knight speaks of his lady Blanche, who most scholars assume to be Blanche of Lancaster, John's first wife. Since the entire story revolves around the knight's lovesickness caused by the loss of Blanche, most recognize that Chaucer wrote the story for John in honor of Blanche of Lancaster "who died in September 1368" (Dictionary of Middle Ages 3: 281). Many people also claim that Chaucer did not write the story immediately after the duchess's death, but instead wrote the work "for one of the later and highly elaborate annual memorial services" created by John in memoriam of his first wife (Benson 329). By allowing the Black Knight to tell of his love for Blanche, Chaucer commemorates not only Blanche's life but also the love between Blanche and John. Since Chaucer wrote the work with John of Gaunt as his intended audience, an extremely influential man during Chaucer's lifetime, it is possible that Chaucer also wrote this first major work in an attempt to get his foot in the door of the literary world of the time. time. In Chaucer from.