The Norman Conquest and the French Influence on Middle English

Robert MacNeil, a writer of many great historical articles, was once, a journalist and news anchor. In his article, “English Belongs to Everybody”, MacNeil responds to the fear of many Americans who believe that Spanish will soon sweep over English. He argues that English can not be diluted by any other language as “it has prospered and grown because it was able to accept and absorb changes,”

ENGL 2322 – British Literature to 1800 (English IV) ENGL 2323 – British Literature since 1800 (English IV) ENGL 2327 – American Literature to 1865

In more modern times the interaction of English speakers with other languages, through first colonialism, and later the emergence of English as a global language has enriched the vocabulary (‘pyjama’) and led to the evolution of different versions of English around the world, for example the hybrid ‘Singlish’ that has emerged in Singapore.

Walter, W J. “Language of Publication English; EN.” Godey's Lady's Book, and Ladies' American Magazine (1840-1843); New York, Dec. 1841. American Periodicals, search-proquest-com.proxybl.lib.montana.edu:3443/docview/126094405?accountid=27237.

“Hold the wall!” shouted King Harold II as the Normans began to work their way past the Anglo-Saxon shield wall. The Anglo-Saxon empire reigned over London for its fair share of time before William the Duke of Normandy decided to take it from them. William was the son of Robert I and his wife was Matilda of Flanders. William was of Viking origin and he spoke French. King Harold II was ruler of London after King Harold I died. King Harold II was the last Anglo-Saxon King of England. In the year 1066 a great battle took place that would change the way London lived forever. This battle was called The Battle of Hastings.

He fought the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066. However, he only battled at two different place, those places were Hastings and Stamford Bridge. On September, William, Duke of Normandy, begins to move his army across the English Channel to England, he took horses with his army as well. Therefore, William was crowned king of England at Westminster Abbey.

The Battle of Hastings remains as one of the most influential battles in British history. King Harold II, an Anglo-Saxon, would be defeated by William the Conqueror, who would establish the House of Normandy as England’s ruling house for over 200 years. William was born in the Falaise Castle in what is now the modern country of France. He was born to Robert, the Duke of Normandy and a mistress named Herleva. When William was just a few years old, his father left on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. His father would die returning to France and William would succeed him with the archbishop of Rouen (also named Robert) serving as regent. Barons would fight for William’s position which led to William’s teacher and guards dying. At one point a relative

The Norman Conquest of England started in 1066, when William the Conqueror (Duke of Normandy) led the invasion. His success at the Battle of Hastings, against Harold II (the last Anglo-Saxon King of England), allowed the Normans to rule over England (although it took until 1071 for the country to be fully subdued because of numerous rebellions). William I was finally crowned and became King of England on Christmas day 1066, after he had forced the submission of the Witan and other opposition leaders. But he still faced much resistance from the locals for many years, particularly Northern England, so he had them restrained.

This piece was made during the times of Norman Conquest, which include the military conquests of England by the Duke of Normandy. This began after the victory at the Battle of Hastings on October 14th, 1066. These conquests caused political, administrative, and social changes in England. The conquest was the finale of unrest that had begun during the reign of Edward the Confessor, who was the last king of the Anglo-Saxon royal line. Edward, had named William as his successor in 1051, but did not have any children from his marriage. He would use this as a diplomatic tool, causing him to give the throne to different groups in the times of his rule. One of these individuals who was promised the throne included Harold Godwineson, who later later

``After the Norman Conquest, the British Isles were, with the exception of the Norman kingdom in Sicily, the most significantly multilingual and multicultural territory in western Europe`` (Crane 1999:35). Explain the background to this situation, and relate the changing uses of the different languages to the social and historical context.

In 1066, King Harold and Anglo-Saxon Europe were over-ruled by William of Normandy in the Battle of Hastings. William became known as “The Conquerer” and was crowned King of England on December the 25th, 1066. The incipient ruler then utilised the Feudal System as a governmental and social hierarchy to maintain power over the country. He did so through paying his people fiefs (pieces of land) in return for their allegiance.

During the Middle Ages, the south-east of England - in particular the triangular area with focal points in London, Oxford, and Cambridge - became a region of special social and economic influence. Social change always has a linguistic sequel. It was inevitable that the speech of those south-easterners in routine contact with the worlds of courtly culture, commerce, and learning would increase in prestige, and begin to be evaluated as a more polished, elegant, and altogether more desirable medium of communication than the varieties available elsewhere. The stage was set for the emergence of a standard language. The linguistic climate of a community changes as a standard language grows. When one dialect achieves a special social position, associated

He was also able to persuade the Pope to back him, because the Pope was outraged that Harold had sworn on his precious holy relics and didn’t keep his word. With the power of holy influence and 700 ships, William set sail towards England to claim back what was rightfully his. Fortunately for the enraged Duke, England was already occupied fighting Tostig and another Harold, a Norwegian duke, who wanted the throne as well. Nevertheless, King Harold was able to meet William’s troops in a final battle which would eventually be known as the Battle of Hastings. In September 1066, the Normans (France) and the Anglo-Saxons (England) finally met and charged into battle. Due to the inefficiency of warfare during this era, none of the soldiers could see their leaders, who were feared dead on multiple occasions. Duke William finally turned the tide of battle by yelling out and rallying his troops, and the battle was won when King Harold was shot in the eye. At long last, William the Conqueror had gotten his crown, and was now the ruler of

Although the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings began when the king was dying, the battle itself only lasted on October 14, 1066. It was on this day that William the Conqueror

The conflict was in the end resolved at the battle of Hastings in 1066. As Harald Goodwinson’s army first faced Harald Hardrada’s Viking attack in September of 1066 in the battle of Stamford Bridge. Harald Goodwinson’s army managed to defeat the Vikings in an exhausting battle, however, only three days later William’s army reached Hastings and Goodwinson and his army had to rush to the sight to face their new foe. Goodwinson’s army was indeed reduced and tired after the trials at Stamford Bridge, nevertheless, what followed was the longest battle in the history of medieval Britain (Kramer.33), and the result was a new king of England, the Duke of Normandy, King William the Conqueror.