Dive into the fascinating world of Middle English, the crucial period between Old and Modern English (1100–1500 AD).
This video explores how the English language evolved after the Norman Conquest, how French and Latin influenced vocabulary and grammar, and how literature flourished through iconic figures like Geoffrey Chaucer.
Learn about the Canterbury Tales, the rise of regional dialects, and the cultural forces that shaped English into what it is today.
Perfect for students, literature lovers, and history enthusiasts.
📚 Topics Covered:
Historical background of Middle English
Linguistic features and vocabulary changes
Key literary works and authors
Transition to Modern English
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Middle English, history of English language, Geoffrey Chaucer, Canterbury Tales, English literature, medieval English, Norman Conquest, English language evolution, Middle English grammar, Old English vs Middle English, literary history, language development, historical linguistics, English dialects, medieval literature
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The start of Middle English 1066 1500. An overview. The Middle English period began in 1066 AD following the Norman conquest of England when William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, a province in France, invaded and defeated the English King Herald at the Battle of Hastings. Why was this conquest important for English? William and the Normans brought with them the French language and culture. Since the Normans were in power, French became the language of the ruling class, government, law, education, and the royal court in England. Meanwhile, the local people still spoke old English, but it gradually started to change because of the French influence. Now, it has often been the case in history that when a foreign power rules a land, they try to impose their own language on it. The same happened here. French was brought in and as a result, old English began to decline. French became the official language of Britain. It was spoken in courts, in parliament, and in official matters. English was no longer taught or written. The ruling class in England became bilingual. They could speak both English and Norman, French, so they were called Angloormans. But by the end of the 12th century, a significant change began. A person named Leamon wrote a poem called Brute, the first significant work written in English after a long period during which French was dominant. This event marked the revival of the English language. This poem is also known as the Chronicle of Britain written in around 16,000 lines. It was the first historioggraphical work in English after the Anglo-Saxon period. Following this, more works began to appear in English, including titles like The Owl and the Night andale, Cursor Mundi, etc. Though these works were written in English, it was no longer old English. This was now Middle English, which had evolved significantly and absorbed many elements of French. At this time, the Bible was also being translated into English. The most notable translation came from John Wickliffe, who played a major role in establishing English as a legitimate language for religious and literary purposes. John Wickliff’s translation of the Bible inspired the Laward movement, a pre-reformation movement that challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, which at the time dictated what was considered right and wrong. The movement rejected the church’s domination, and Wikliffe played an important role in this challenge. During this time, King Edward III ruled England. R1 1327,1 1377 and the 14th century had begun. Before the birth of Jeffrey Chaucer, born C1340s, major events like the Hundred Years War 1337 1453 had already started between England and France. Chaucer entered the royal court as a servant, but eventually became a favorite of Edward. Third, after being captured during war, he was released after the king paid a large ransom. Chaucer traveled to various lands and through these experiences he gained vast knowledge reflected in his work. During Chaucer’s lifetime, Battle of Pieres 1356, Black Death 1348 1350. These events shaped English society and literature. Deeply Chaucer’s most famous work is the Canterbury Tales, though it remained unfinished. This work stands out because Chaucer was involved in public life, so we know more about him. The Hundred Years War had already started by the time Chaucer was born. He also witnessed events like the Peasants Revolt of 1381, also known as the Wat Tyler Rebellion. After Chaucer’s death in 1400, his literary era was referred to as the Baron Age, a period where creativity declined. However, three long poems written in Angloorman language emerged, notably by his contemporary John Gower, a personal friend. After Chaucer’s death, William Caxton, a merchant, introduced the printing press in England in 1476. He reprinted many of Chaucer’s works, but the first prince had many errors. is due to lack of editing. Chaucer had seen the reign of three kings during his lifetime. Afterward, Henry IVth became king in 1399, followed by the War of the Roses 1455-1487. During this time, Caxton’s press was shifted and reestablished elsewhere. Following that, the Battle of Bosworth 1485 took place, after which Henry 7th became king, marking the beginning of the Tudtor dynasty. Around this period, Sir Thomas Moore wrote Utopia, initially in Latin, later translated into English and published in both languages. Meanwhile, theater also began to develop in England. Mystery plays and morality plays became popular. A special type of play was mummers plays performed with masks and narrating stories like Robin Hood and St. George and the Dragon. These plays toured towns and were performed publicly. One famous cycle was the York cycle, a collection of mystery plays performed in the city of York. Three famous surviving cycles from this period are York cycle, Wakefield cycle, Chester cycle. Also, everyman, a famous morality play from the late 15th century, is noteworthy. There were also interludes, short plays emerging during the early Elizabethan era. A major figure was John Henry who wanted to control the church in England but Thomas Beckett opposed him and was eventually killed for it. Eventually Mary Y became queen followed by Elizabeth the who reigned from 1558. This set the stage for the Renaissance and the golden age of English literature.