under attack, such as Burley, with whom Chaucer had worked with since 1376 and was probably a close friend. Chaucer may also have felt personally endangered by the attack on the King's prerogative. One petition, for example, presented to the Parliament demanded that customs controllers of the ports be dismissed from their posts on account of their "manifest corruption". Chaucer was customs controller of the Port of London, from which the leader of the opposition, Gloucester, was owed £500; as a result, speculates Peter Ackroyd, Chaucer may have felt the accusation of corruption personally targeted him. Notes References Bibliography 1386 establishments in England 14th-century English parliaments 1386 in England Richard II of England 14th century in London