Final answer:
Geoffrey Chaucer, known for his work 'The Canterbury Tales,' was the son of a wine merchant, John Chaucer, in London, not to be confused with William Shakespeare's father.
Step-by-step explanation:
Geoffrey Chaucer, often hailed as the Father of English literature, was born into a family with connections to the wine trade. His father, John Chaucer, was a wine merchant in London, which positioned Geoffrey in a relatively well-off middle-class standing. This background provided him with the social and economic stability to pursue his interests in courtly life and literature. It is important to note that while Geoffrey Chaucer's father, John Chaucer, was involved in the wine trade, the reference provided actually discusses William Shakespeare's father, John Shakespeare, who was a leatherworker, and not related to Geoffrey Chaucer's family.
Chaucer lived during the Middle English period, a time that saw significant changes in the English language as represented in his most famous work, 'The Canterbury Tales.' His writing provides valuable insights into the cultural and social milieu of 14th century England.