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The Canterbury Tales Writing Competition 2024/25: Surprise, Surprise!

Introduction

The Chaucer Heritage Trust was founded in 1992 and aims to further interest, understanding and appreciation of the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, his life and times, and influence.

The Chaucer Heritage Trust has launched its eighth annual writing competition for schools inspired by the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, considered by many England’s greatest medieval poet.

The special theme of the competition this year is ‘Surprise, Surprise!’.

Who can take part?

The competition is open to all students of school age including not only those in schools and college communities, but also students who are home educated and in any other young people’s community organisations.

The three age groups are:

• Junior – 5-10 years old

• Intermediate – 11-14 years old

• Senior – 15-18 years old

Age on 28 February 2025. Competitors must include their date of birth on the entry form.

Competition Guidelines

Choose ONE of the following:

1. Write a poem or story about a surprise.
2. Write a poem or story with a twist in the tail.
3. Write a description of a character who was not what they appeared to be.

Style

• Your writing should invoke the spirit of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales.
• All entries must be in English.
• Think carefully about the language – choosing the words which best convey your intended meaning and message.
• You are encouraged to use everyday language and colloquialisms but if appropriate please include explanations in brackets.
• Think carefully about the characters in your writing and what they say about the world you live in.

Word Count

The maximum word count is 500 words. There is no minimum word count.

Deadlines

All entries must be submitted by midnight (GMT) on 28 February 2025.

Other Rules

• All entries must be original and entirely that of the student (however, rewritings of existing stories are acceptable if sufficiently original in presentation and content).
• Only one entry may be submitted per person.
• Collaborations will not be considered for prizes.
• The school portion of each prize is available only to schools in the United Kingdom.
• While the Trust cannot offer the school portion of each prize to parents or guardians of home-schooled students, such winners may nominate a local or community library for the Trustees’ consideration. The decision of the Trustees will be final in these matters.
• The decision of the judges will be final.

The Trust and judges reserve the right not to award a prize in any particular categories if there are not sufficient entries or they feel that the entries are not of sufficient merit.

Prizes

Category	Prize for the Winning Entrant(s)	Prize for the Winning Entrant’s School Library
Junior (5-10 years old)	1st £300 2nd £150 3rd £100	1st £1000 2nd £500 3rd £250
Intermediate (11-14 years old)	1st £300 2nd £150 3rd £100	1st £1000 2nd £500 3rd  £250
Senior (15-18 years old)	1st £300 2nd £150 3rd £100	1st £1000 2nd £500 3rd £250

How to Enter

You can submit your entry at http://chaucer.org.uk/submityourentry/

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Further Information

Further Information can be found at www.chaucer.org.uk or you can contact us at admin@chaucer.org.uk