Final answer:
Geoffrey Chaucer was born and reared as a member of the merchant ruling class, just below the elite and upper class in the medieval European social hierarchy. This class was influential in society and often engaged in trade and various professions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chaucer was born and reared as a member of the merchant ruling class. This class was a step below the elite and upper class, which comprised the townspeople, artisans, clerks, and non-elite workers. These non-elite groups did not possess the noble bloodline of Shirazi Muslims, which often determined societal status during medieval times. However, they played a critical role in the structure of society, especially in medieval European social order, which included members of the clergy, warriors, and laborers. The merchant class held considerable power and was distinct from the peasantry, the gentry, and the nobility. Wealth in medieval Britain was typically inherited through the law of primogeniture, where property was passed to the firstborn son, and social standing was largely influenced by marriage. Chaucer's experiences within the merchant class would have provided a unique perspective on the intricacies of medieval society, which he famously depicted in his works.