e Birth of that famous Poet. 1.
_Berkshire_, from the words of _Leland_, that he was born _in
Barocensiprovincia_; and Mr. _Cambden_ avoweth that _Dunington-Castle_
nigh unto _Newbery_, was anciently his Inheritance. 2. _Oxfordshire_,
where _J. Pits_ is positive that his Father was a Knight, and that he
was born at _Woodstock_. 3. The Author of his Life, set forth 1602.
proveth him born in _London_, out of these his own words in the
_Testament of Love_.

Also in the City of London, that is to me so dear and sweet, in which I
was forth grown, and more kindly love have I to that place, than any
other in yerth, as every kindely creature hath full appetite to that
place of his kindly ingendure, and to wilne rest and peace in that
stede to abide, thilke peace should thus there have been broken, which
of all wise men is commended and desired.

For his Parentage, although _Bale_ writes, he termeth himself
_Galfridus Chaucer nobili loco natus, & fummae spei juvenis_; yet in the
opinion of some Heralds (otherwise than his Virtues and Learning
commended him) he descended not of any great House, which they gather
by his Arms: And indeed both in respect of the Name, which is _French_,
as also by other Conjectures, it may be gathered, that his Progenitors
were Strangers; but whether they were Merchants (for that in places
where they have dwelled, the Arms of the Merchants of the Staple have
been seen in the Glass-windows) or whether they were of other Callings,
it is not much necessary to search; but wealthy no doubt they were, and
of good account in the Commonwealth, who brought up their Son in such
sort, that both he was thought fit for the Court at home, and to be
employed for Matters of State in Foreign Countries.

His Education, as _Leland_ writes, was in both the Universities of
_Oxford_ and _Cambridge_, as appeareth by his own words, in his Book
Entituled _The Court of Love_: And in _Oxford_ by all likelihood, in
_Canterbury_ or in _Merton_ Colledge, improving his Time in the
University, he became a witty Logician, a sweet Rhetorician, a grave
Philosopher, a holy Divine, a skilful Mathematician, and a pleasant
Poet; of whom, for the Sweetness of his Poetry, may be said that which
is reported of _Stesichorus_; and as _Cethegus_ was called _Suadae
Medulla_, so may _Chaucer_ be rightly called the Pith and Sinews of
Eloquence, and the very Life it self of all Mirth and pleasant Writing.
Besides, one Gift he had above other