Characteristics of the Time Period
Political Influence
In conjunction with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the language use in the Middle English period also went through a vast change. While the ruling elite spoke strictly French because of their Norman heritage, English remained the language of the commoners. “Why didn’t the use of English fade throughout time?” you might ask. There are two distinct reasons for this: 1. English was already too established among the Englishmen despite William’s attempts to move in with French; and 2: The Normans began immediately intermarrying with the Englishmen, creating a HUGE impact on English vocabulary and grammar. |
Introduction of the new Feudal System
When William the Conqueror took over England after the Norman Conquest, he began by exercising his reign and dispelling the English feudal system already in place. As the new king, William confiscated the lands from the currant Saxon lords and apportioned them to the lords who had assisted his conquest. These lords, or tenants-in-chief, were to live on and work the lands while essentially ‘renting’ from William in exchange for various services. The tenants-in-chief could then rent parts of the land to lords beneath him and so on, leaving the commoners at the bottom to work the lands and raise the animals. Because the lands were still owned by William the Conqueror, he reserved the ability to remove any tenant-in-chief who did not lend his services to the king. This allowed William to keep absolute control over his kingdom and the people who lived there. In addition, a detailed record of ownership of land and people was kept in order to sort out the confusion of the new feudal system. This survey, also referred to as the Doomsday Book, was to act as a permanent reference of belongings and tenants when William became king; he later required a reference to expand to the period before the Norman Conquest while Edward the Confessor ruled England in 1065. This record was to be collected by the squires and kept at the Winchester Treasury. |
The Arts: Bayeux Tapestry
The Bayeux tapestry—not actually considered a tapestry but rather a piece of cloth—is approximately 70 meters long, and depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings. The current king of England, Edward the Confessor, was left childless and named Harold, Earl of Wessex, as his successor. Shortly after, Harold was invaded by William the Conqueror during the battle of Hastings. This tapestry shows approximately 50 scenes of the culmination of this battle and was eventually hung in the Bayeux Cathedral. This great work of art is often called upon in pop cultural reference and has been depicted in a number of movies and artistic events. The following website shows the tapestry scene by scene and provides a generous narration of the events: http://www.bayeuxtapestry.org.uk/ |
Characteristics of the Language
Dialect
Because of the vast difference of influential languages, various dialects arose throughout the country. As you can see in the picture, what we know as Middle English includes a variety of Northumbria, West Saxon, Kentish, West Anglican, and East Anglican dialects. These dialects, formed in respective regions due to various influences makes it difficult to pin-point exact usage origins and dialects completely. What we do know is that this language system was completely different from anything England had ever used. Compared to the homogeneous language of Old English, Middle English gave us much of the English language we know and use today.
Because of the vast difference of influential languages, various dialects arose throughout the country. As you can see in the picture, what we know as Middle English includes a variety of Northumbria, West Saxon, Kentish, West Anglican, and East Anglican dialects. These dialects, formed in respective regions due to various influences makes it difficult to pin-point exact usage origins and dialects completely. What we do know is that this language system was completely different from anything England had ever used. Compared to the homogeneous language of Old English, Middle English gave us much of the English language we know and use today.
Grammar
As far as grammar usage is concerned, the majority of the changes brought about through the conquest have much to do with inflection and spelling. Because those who chose to continue speaking English were forced to improvise depending on their region, they were forced to call upon Latin, French, and even Scandinavian traditions. Therefore, and incredible degree of variation is found in spelling, inflection, and vocabulary usage depending on regional variation. Because of these influences on the English language, much of the Old English morphology changed to become staple characteristics of the Middle English period. For example, the use of strong inflections was reduced and most nouns lost their gender identification (pronouns being the exception).
As far as grammar usage is concerned, the majority of the changes brought about through the conquest have much to do with inflection and spelling. Because those who chose to continue speaking English were forced to improvise depending on their region, they were forced to call upon Latin, French, and even Scandinavian traditions. Therefore, and incredible degree of variation is found in spelling, inflection, and vocabulary usage depending on regional variation. Because of these influences on the English language, much of the Old English morphology changed to become staple characteristics of the Middle English period. For example, the use of strong inflections was reduced and most nouns lost their gender identification (pronouns being the exception).
Vocabulary
• Gained suffixes for abstract terms
• -ance • -ant • -ence • -ent • -ity • -ment • -tion • Prefixes flooded into English |
• Gained a number of new doublets
• French/Norman--------------------- Old English • Beef----------------------------------- Cow • Mutton ------------------------------- Sheep • Pork ---------------------------------- Pig • Veal ---------------------------------- Calf • Plente -------------------------------- Genoh • Mount -------------------------------- Rise • Question ---------------------------- Ask • Age ----------------------------------- Time • Royal --------------------------------- King |