Chaucer isn't necessarily that bad. If you take the time, you can read much of it. For example, I think you or most HN readers could read and understand almost this entire passage if you know the framing story:

'And whan this goode man saugh that it was so, / As he that wys was and obedient / To kepe his foreward by his free assent, / He seyde, "Syn I shal bigynne the game, / What, welcome be the cut, a goddes name! / Now lat us ryde, and herkneth what I seye." / And with that word we ryden forth oure weye, / And he bigan with right a myrie cheere / His tale anon, and seyde as ye may heere...'

http://www.librarius.com/canttran/genpro/genpro824-860.htm