This book investigates the material and cultural processes that transformed Geoffrey Chaucer from a deceased medieval poet into a foundational, symbolic figure for the entire Anglophone literary tradition. Thomas A. Prendergast, a scholar of medieval literature, examines the physical history of Chaucer's remains and the subsequent construction of his literary reputation. By analyzing the intersection of historical record and posthumous canonization, the author argues that Chaucer's status as the 'father' of English literature is a manufactured outcome of centuries of material and ideological curation. The text utilizes archival evidence and reception history to map the evolution of Chaucer's identity within the broader context of English cultural heritage.

Scholars in the field of medieval studies frequently cite this work for its innovative approach to the intersection of material culture and literary history. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous examination of how literary reputations are constructed over time.