The excerpt was written during which historical period? "Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote, The droghte of March hath perced to the roote, And bathed every veyne in swich licour Of which vertú engendred is the flour, Whan Zephirus eek with his swete breeth Inspired hath in every holt and heeth The tendre croppes..."

Robert Herrick was a 17th-century poet known for his lyric poetry, particularly his collection "Hesperides." While he wrote beautifully about nature and seasonal themes, the specific language and style of the excerpt do not match his works, which are characterized by a different rhythm and tone compared to Chaucer's Middle English.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson was a 19th-century poet laureate whose works include "The Charge of the Light Brigade" and "In Memoriam." While Tennyson's poetry is rich and evocative, it is written in a modern English style that is distinct from the Middle English used by Chaucer in the provided excerpt.

Chaucer's works, particularly "The Canterbury Tales," are foundational to English literature, and his writing style and themes focus on the social and moral fabric of his time. The excerpt reflects Chaucer's characteristic blending of vernacular language with poetic form, making it easily recognizable as his work.

Mary Sidney Herbert, the Countess of Pembroke, was a 16th-century poet and translator known for her contributions to the literary world, particularly in the context of the English Renaissance. However, her work is not known for the style or themes present in the excerpt, which is unmistakably Chaucerian in nature.