Francois Rabelais: Rabelais was an important writer of the French Renaissance and wrote the Pantagruel, a series of books about the adventures of a giant named Gargantua and his son Pantagruel. He used his books to poke fun at rules and institutions in the society he felt needed to be changed. Though he wanted to entertain his readers he also wanted to educate them. His works are a good part of humanist interest and were banned by the Roman Catholic Church.
Sir Thomas More: More was an important advisor to King Henry VIII of England, he advocated religious tolerance. He was later executed by the King for his refusal to denounce the Roman Catholic Church. In 1935 he was declared a saint for his unwavering belief in the Catholic faith and his willingness to die for his beliefs.
Geoffrey Chaucer: Chaucer was an early writer of English. In his book Canterbury Tales he wrote about social and political circumstances of the time, humorous stories from pilgrims on their way to Canterbury Cathedral.
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