* Chaucer's Fame: Geoffrey Chaucer was a highly respected poet in his own time. He was a member of the royal court and held important positions, including Clerk of the King's Works. His work was widely circulated and admired.
* The Book of the Duchess's Popularity: While not as famous as *The Canterbury Tales*, *The Book of the Duchess* was a popular and significant work. It was one of Chaucer's earliest major poems and helped establish his reputation as a poet.
* The Poem's Subject: The poem is a complex and moving elegy for the death of Blanche of Lancaster, the Duchess of Lancaster, and it would have been widely known in courtly circles.
It's important to note:
* The Context: To understand why someone would have heard of Chaucer and his work, you need to know the specific context. Was it someone living in Chaucer's time, or someone centuries later? The answer will depend on their exposure to literature and education.
* "They" is Unclear: You didn't specify who "they" are. If it's a group of people studying medieval literature, it would be unsurprising for them to know about Chaucer.
Let me know if you have more information about who "they" are, and I can give you a more specific answer!