How did Geoffrey Chaucer begin his career at the royal court?

Geoffrey Chaucer first appeared in historical records in 1357 as a member of the household of Elizabeth, countess of Ulster, who was the wife of Lionel, the third son of Edward III.1

It is believed that his father, a successful London vintner and deputy to the king’s butler, secured this position for him. This was a common practice among families of sufficient standing, intended to provide their children with the necessary courtly education and social connections to advance their careers. Through this arrangement, Chaucer gained early exposure to the royal court, which served as the foundation for his later life as a public servant, diplomat, and poet.12