Talk:Philippa Roet

Latest comment: 4 years ago by History Lunatic in topic Confusion

Children

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The article states that it is "likely" that some of Philippa's children were not fathered by her husband. The evidence adduced is: (1) "Philippa and Chaucer both spent a great deal of time in the Gaunt household." (2) King Edward gave the Chaucers another annuity when their daughter Elizabeth was born. (3) Thomas Chaucer "received favors from" John of Gaunt under whom he served as a soldier. (4) Thomas Chaucer chose to carry his mother's coat of arms, not Geoffrey Chaucer's (his supposed father) - though the article concedes that his mother's coat of arms was more prestigious, and later in life Thomas did bear Geoffrey's coat of arms. So all of this hardly conclusive evidence of adultery. Perhaps there is such evidence, but it's not here. This article seems to be repeating 650-year-old gossip. In the absence of better evidence, I am going to change "this is likely" to "this is possible." Philippachaucer (talk) 15:35, 31 July 2010 (UTC)Reply

Confusion

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Is it just me?

"Following Costanza's death in 1394, John wed his mistress, Katherine, who was Philippa's sister. This connection significantly increased the Chaucers’ status in society. Philippa was much in favor in court as a lady-in-waiting and her husband continued to elevate his reputation."

But Philippa died c 1387. Maybe it means the rest of her surviving family's status increased after her sister's marriage, but it doesn't read that way. Or I suppose it could mean their status was enhanced by Katherine's position as John of Gaunt's mistress. At best, it's unclear. I know almost nothing about the Chaucer family. Can someone with more knowledge clean this up? History Lunatic (talk) 04:49, 4 September 2020 (UTC)History LunaticReply