The document discusses the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 and its effects on the English language. William the Conqueror invaded and became king, bringing French nobility who adopted French as the language of the upper classes and government. While English was spoken by common people, it was seen with indifference by French elites for over 200 years as French was more useful for international affairs. English gradually incorporated some French words as the languages interacted after the Conquest.

1. The Norman
Conquest of England

2. In the end of the Old English Period ,
an event occured that had greater
effect on the English. This event was
the Norman Conquest in 1066. William
the Conqueror and his soldiers
invaded Britain.

3. Location of major events during the
Norman conquest of England in 1066

4. The Use of French by the Upper Class
For 200 years after the Norman Conquest ,
French remained the language of ordinary
intercourse among the upper classes in
England. French was obligatory for official
business. So words like
‘judge’,’justice’,’evidence’ included English
Language.

6. The Attitude toward English
The English language may be characterized as
one of simple indifference. They did not cultivate
English-which is not the same as saying they had
no acquaintance of with it-because their activities
in England did not necessitate it and their
constant concern with continental affairs made
French for them much more useful.

7. The English was used by only
common people to
communicate by speaking slowly
and loudly while the French was
used by upper class and The Latin
was spoken in Church.