Michael Chaucer
| Michael Johnson Chaucer | |
|---|---|
| File:William E. Haynes 1909b.jpg Chaucer in a rare photograph circa 1849 | |
| President of Libertas Omnium Maximus | |
| In office September 7th, 1837 – September 7th, 1841 | |
| Vice President | James Duncan |
| Succeeded by | James Duncan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Johnson Chaucer March 1, 1794 Veillia, Iustitia Colony, Kingdom of Valahandia |
| Died | November 28, 1871 (aged 77) Litudinem, Libertas Omnium Maximus |
| Cause of death | Lung Disease |
| Citizenship | Libertas Omnium Maximus |
| Nationality | Maximusian |
| Political party | First Democracy Party, National Conservative Party |
| Height | 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Spouse(s) | Andrea Chaucer |
| Children | Anna Chaucer-Dawson, John Chaucer |
| Known for | Overthrowing the First Iustitian Empire, Becoming the First President of Libertas Omnium Maximus |
| Signature |  |
Born in 1794, Michael Chaucer was a Maximusian revolutionary, politician, and military strategist who became a central figure in the Iustitian Independence Movement by the 1830s. He was Libertas Omnium Maximus' first president, serving from September 7th, 1837 to September 7th, 1841.
Early Life
Michael Chaucer was born to David and Sarah Chaucer on April 3rd, 1794. He spent the first years of his life in Veillia, a small city located in the northernmost tip of Iustitia. His father, a poorly educated but intelligent tailor, had Michael tutored starting at a young age. In 1801, John Chaucer, Michael's older brother, joined the war of independence from Valahandia. It was at this time that Michael took a keen interest in politics.
In 1822 Michael enrolled in the University of Iustitia and almost immediately joined a society advocating for the implementation of a new, democratic system of government.
Early Career
Initially planning on becoming a banker, Chaucer quickly discovered that he lacked the financial sense for it and dropped out of college in 1824. Afterward, he found work as a typesetter working for a local paper. It was around this time that Chaucer began actively conspiring against the Provisional Government, organizing the stockpiling of weapons and underground meetings.
Activism
In the spring of 1826 Chaucer and a group of friends were arrested for publishing flyers describing the benefits of a democratic society. Chaucer was later released after he swore that his actions were not in opposition to the government but instead to further the populace's knowledge. This would not be Chaucer's final brush with the law. He was arrested a total of six times between 1826 and 1834 but would talked his way out of a sentence in every case.
Dissertation on the Corruption of Mankind
In 1834, deciding to make his position known, Chaucer wrote and published his Dissertation on the Corruption of Mankind. It summarized many of Chaucer's grievances with the Provisional Government and advocated for an uprising against all unchecked oligarchs, specifically, the Wisdom. The essay was met initially with skepticism and disdain, leading Chaucer to believe that a rebellion was impossible due to the apparent political apathy of the Maximsuian People.
Only two weeks after the publication of the essay Chaucer was arrested for treason and was subsequently sentenced to death. He was able to escape his cell shortly after his sentencing by conspiring with fellow inmates to set the prison on fire. He was one of only two inmates to escape.
After his escape, Chaucer fled Iustitia to Passarelle a small fishing village in what is today mainland Libertas Omnium Maximus.
Revolutionary Leader
After a time, it became clear that Chaucer's dissertation had a more profound impact on the populace than had been initially realized. Numerous individuals were being arrested every day for acting out against the government. It seemed that a rebellion was brewing and Chaucer was called to lead it. He obliged in the spring of 1835, quickly returning to Iustitia, where he took refuge in the house of his confidant, James Duncan.
Over the course of the following year, he orchestrated several successful attacks on high-level members of the Provisional Government and continued to encourage others to join the cause. By the early spring of 1836, Chaucer had enough followers to successfully carry out a coup d'état and establish a democratic government in Iustitia.