Middle English

Middle

English

(1100-1500)

Middle English a period of roughly 300 years from around 1150 CE to around 1450.

The Normans, a medieval people of Viking origin, played a significant role in shaping the culture of England and other parts of Europe during the Middle English period, which roughly spanned from the 11th to the 15th century.

Language and Linguistic Influence

This linguistic division gave rise to Middle English, a fusion of Old English and Norman French, which eventually evolved into the English language we know today. The Norman influence enriched English vocabulary with many French loanwords.

The most immediate and lasting impact of the Normans was their language. Following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Norman French became the language of the English elite, while Old English (Anglo-Saxon) continued to be spoken by the common people.

Feudalism: This system governed land ownership, labor obligations, and social order.

Legal System: The compilation of laws known as the "Domesday Book" was created during this period, helping establish a uniform system of justice and taxation.

Architecture: They constructed many castles across England as a means of securing their control over the conquered lands.

Chivalry and Courtly Love: Norman culture played a crucial role in the development.

Religion and Art: The Normans were devout Christians, and their religious beliefs influenced the construction

Literature and Storytelling: Norman culture contributed to the growth of storytelling and epic literature in England.

Cuisine: Norman cuisine introduced new ingredients and cooking techniques to England. Spices, fruits, and various meats, including game and poultry, were incorporated into English cuisine.

Heraldry: The use of coats of arms and heraldry, which became prominent in the Middle Ages, was influenced by Norman practices. Heraldic symbols and designs were used to identify noble families and knights on the battlefield.

Music and Dance: Norman culture also influenced English music and dance.

Important Events

Domesday Book: Commissioned by William the Conqueror, the Domesday Book was a comprehensive survey of landholdings and property in England. It played a crucial role in establishing a standardized legal and tax system.

Middle English (11th-15th century) saw big language changes:

Norman Conquest: One of the most pivotal events in English history, the Norman Conquest saw William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, defeat King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings. This led to the Norman establishment of rule in England, bringing about major changes in governance, language, and culture.

Hundred Years' War: This protracted conflict between England and France had a profound impact on English society.

Angevin Empire: The Angevin Empire, under King Henry II, saw the expansion of English territories in France, including regions like Aquitaine and Normandy.

Magna Carta: Under the reign of King John, the Magna Carta was signed, limiting the powers of the monarchy and establishing principles of due process and rule of law.

Black Death: The bubonic plague, known as a Black Death, resulting in widespread death and social upheaval.

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales: Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" is one of the most famous literary works of the Middle English period.

The Peasants' Revolt: A rebellion of peasants and commoners in response to oppressive taxation and labor conditions.

Wars of the Roses: This series of civil wars between the houses of Lancaster and York for control of the English throne.

Linguistic Change

Invention of the Printing Press: Although the printing press was not invented in England, its introduction in the late Middle Ages marked a revolutionary development in communication and the spread of knowledge.

The Norman Conquest in 1066 brought Norman French to England, impacting English with many French words in law, government, religion, and culture, known as "Anglo-Norman" or "Old French" influence.

Middle English Vocabulary

Examples:

Begin (from Old English "beginnan"); "commence" (from Norman French) and Middle English “Beginnen”, the three meant "to start,"

Despite the Norman influence, the English language continued to evolve. Middle English developed as a distinct linguistic phase, marked by the blending of Old English and Norman French vocabulary. This fusion resulted in a rich and complex vocabulary with synonyms and nuances that often stemmed from the two linguistic sources.

Teach (from Old English "tǣcan"); instruct (from Norman French "instruire") and “techen” in Middle English, the three meant "to impart knowledge or information."

Grammatical Simplification

Verb ConjugationOld English: "ic lufode" (I loved) Middle English: "I lovede" (I loved)

The complex inflectional system of Old English gradually simplified during the Middle English period. Noun declensions and verb conjugations became less elaborate.

Adjective Endings Old English: "sēo swēte bēo" (the sweet bee) Middle English: "the swete bee" (the sweet bee)

Inflectional EndingsNominative Case: Old English "dæg" (day) became Middle English "day" (day). Accusative Case: Old English "stanas" (stones) became Middle English "stanes" (stones)

Word Order Old English: "Se cyning lufað his folc." (The king loves his people.) Middle English: "The king loves his folk." (The king loves his people.)

Phonological Changes

Vowel ChangesDiphthongization: "stān" (stone) in Old English became "stoon" in Middle English. Vowel Shortening: Some long vowels in Old English were shortened in Middle English. For instance, Old English "hēah" (high) became Middle English "heigh." Vowel Breaking: Vowels could undergo breaking, where they changed within a word. For instance, Old English "cēne" (keen) became Middle English "kēne."

Middle English also saw significant changes in pronunciation and phonology.

Final Consonant Changes Loss of Final -e: "sune" (son) in Old English became "son" in Middle English.

Consonant Changes Loss of Certain Consonants: the "h" at the beginning of words like "hnutu" (nut) was often dropped in Middle English. Consonant Shifts: Old English "cw" often became "qu" in Middle English, as in "cwēn" (queen) becoming "quene."

Stress Changes Shift in Stress Patterns: in Old English, stress might have fallen on the first syllable of a word, but in Middle English, it could have shifted to a later syllable.

Influence of Other Languages: In addition to Norman French, Latin continued to exert influence on English during the Middle English period, particularly in religious, scientific, and academic contexts.

Dialect Variation: Middle English was not a uniform language, and various dialects emerged across different regions of England.

Literary Evolution: The Middle English period was marked by the production of notable literary works, such as William Langland's "Piers Plowman"

Latin - Middle English

Altar Verse University

Altare Versus Universitas

Orthographic Changes

Emergence of new letters: During Middle English, additional letters that did not exist in Old English were adopted. For example, the letter 'y' came to be used more commonly to represent the short vowel sound /i/.

The spelling system of Middle English was not standardized, leading to variations in written forms across regions and time. Scribes often used phonetic spellings, resulting in the emergence of numerous spellings for the same word.

Simplification of double consonants: Double consonants that were common in Old English were simplified in Middle English. For example, 'dobbelt' in Old English became 'doublet' in Middle English.

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