Although Chaucer is traditionally considered a medieval poet, his epic poem displays affinities with early Italian Renaissance writers such as Giovanni Boccaccio. One of these expeditions may have taken him to Italy, where he met Boccaccio and Petrarch. Their travels together would have provided Chaucer with an opportunity to learn about new ideas and literature from people who had recently seen so much of Europe that they wanted to know more about other parts of the world. Chaucer was well-versed in Latin, but he also knew Greek and French. He used these languages in his works - The Canterbury Tales, Troilus and Criseyde, and the General Prologue to Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain - which shows that he was not limited to writing in English. In addition to being a poet, Chaucer was also a courtier, lawyer, diplomat, and administrator. In 1380, he was appointed Clerk of the King's Works, a position he held until his death in 1400. This means that during his lifetime, Chaucer helped design and build many of the royal castles and buildings that can be found across England. He also played an important role in the administration of his country. As Secretary for Wales, he wrote laws that were then passed by parliament. He also worked with Queen Elizabeth I to negotiate peace treaties with France and Spain.