Canterbury Tales

The Canterbury Tales is collection of stories in prose and verse by Geoffrey Chaucer told in Middle English prose and verse by a group of pilgrims (including Chaucer himself) on their way to Thomas Becket's tomb at Canterbury. The author died in 1400, having failed to complete his 14 year old project. By the time of his death twenty-four tales have been told. Chaucer had intended 31 pilgrims would tell two tales each on their way to Canterbury and another two on their way back. The book was a major influence on the development of  English literature.