Thomas Chaucer

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Thomas Chaucer (c. 1367–1434), was the Speaker of the British House of Commons on three occasions and son of Geoffrey Chaucer and Philippa (de) Roet.

Thomas seems to have done well from his father's standing as both a poet and also an administrator. This is despite suggestions that Geoffrey Chaucer had fallen out of favour with Henry IV who had recently seized power.

He was Chief Butler of England for almost thirty years, attended fifteen parliaments and was Speaker of the House five times, a feat not surpassed until the 18th century. He married heiress Maud Burghersh around 1395 and was able to buy Donnington Castle for his only daughter Alice. In 1399, Henry IV gave him Wallingford Castle and the honour of Wallingford for life. Thomas Chaucer died at Ewelme on 18 November 1434.

Alice married William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk and her grandson John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln was the designated heir of Richard III . John and several of his brothers were later executed when Richard lost power thereby ending the Chaucer family line.

Ewelme - The rise of the Chaucer and de la Pole families: [1]

Preceded by Sir John Tiptoft	Speaker of the House of Commons 1407–1411	Succeeded by unknown, later William Stourton
Preceded by Walter Hungerford, 1st Baron Hungerford	Speaker of the House of Commons 1414–1415	Succeeded by Richard Redman
Preceded by Roger Hunt	Speaker of the House of Commons 1421	Succeeded by Richard Baynard