Geoffrey Chaucer note asking for time off work identified as his handwriting

Exclusive: Document was originally thought to be written by clerk on behalf of Canterbury Tales writer who worked as civil servant

A 14th-century bureaucratic document requesting time off work for a civil servant has been identified as the only surviving handwriting of Geoffrey Chaucer, revered as the father of English literature.

While it was known that the individual seeking a leave of absence was the author of The Canterbury Tales - during his 12-year employment as controller of the London Wool Quay - the application was assumed to have been made on his behalf by a clerk.