with others,
to treat with the Doge and Senate of Genoa, about affairs of great
importance to our state. The duke of Lancaster, whose favourite
passion was ambition, which demanded the assistance of learned
men, engaged warmly in our poet's interest; besides, the duke was
remarkably fond of Lady Catherine Swynford, his wife's sister, who
was then guardianess to his children, and whom he afterwards made his
wife; thus was he doubly attached to Chaucer, and with the varying
fortune of the duke of Lancaster we find him rise or fall. Much about
this time, for his successful negociations at Genoa, the king granted
to him by letters patent, by the title of Armiger Noster, one
pitcher of wine daily in the port of London, and soon after made him
comptroller of the customs, with this particular proviso, that he
should personally execute the office, and write the accounts relating
to it with his own hand. But as he was advanced to higher places
of trust, so he became more entangled in the affairs of state, the
consequence of which proved very prejudicial to him. The duke of
Lancaster having been the chief instrument of raising him to dignity,
expected the fruits of those favours in a ready compliance with him
in all his designs. That prince was certainly one of the proudest and
most ambitious men of his time, nor could he patiently bear the name
of a subject even to his father; nothing but absolute power, and the
title of king could satisfy him; upon the death of his elder brother,
Edward the black prince, he fixed an eye upon the English crown, and
seemed to stretch out an impatient hand to reach it. In this view he
sought, by all means possible, to secure his interest against the
decease of the old king; and being afraid of the opposition of the
clergy, who are always strenuous against an irregular succession, he
embraced the opinions and espoused the interests of Wickliff, who now
appeared at Oxford, and being a man of very great abilities, and much
esteemed at court, drew over to his party great numbers, as well
fashionable as low people. In this confusion, the duke of Lancaster
endeavoured all he could to shake the power of the clergy, and to
procure votaries amongst the leading popular men. Chaucer had no small
hand in promoting these proceedings, both by his public interest and
writings. Towards the close of Edward's reign, he was very active in
the intrigues of the court party, and so recommended himself to the
Prince su