Canterbury Tales Writing Competition 2025-26: Happily ever after?

 Full details 

Introduction

The Chaucer Heritage Trust is very pleased to launch its ninth annual writing competition for schools and home educated students inspired by the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, considered by many England’s greatest medieval poet.

The special theme of the competition is ‘Happily ever after?’

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 2026. Competitors must include their date of birth on the entry form.

Competition Guidelines

Choose ONE of the following:

1. Write a poem or story that ends happily
2. Write a poem or story that ends happily, but not for everyone
3. Write a description (in verse or prose) of a character who comes to a bad end

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 2026.

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. If multiple submissions are made only the first will be considered.
• Collaborations will not be considered for prizes.
• Please do not enter works that have already been published, are being considered for publication, or are currently entered into other competitions.
• While the Trust cannot offer the ‘school portion’ of prizes to parents or guardians of home-educated 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 all matters.
• 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	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

The Trustees may also choose to offer additional “Highly Commended” prizes.

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