Middle English: the non-standard period

1. What were the specific roles of English and French in the Early ME society?

Context: 1066 Battle of Hastings → William the Conqueror

→ English Nobles replaced by Normans- the leaders= most influential sector of society

- Most of the Church leaders French as well

- but mass of the inhabitants of England= English-speaking peasants

French- language of upper class for more than 200 years

- Marked class more than national identity

- French used in writing

- Bilingualism (French landowners in isolated areas, Engl. /Fr. intermarriages among lesser nobility)

→ French used on the top and English on the bottom of the social scale

2. What were the major factors for re-emergence of English in the Early ME period? 1234 - bishop protest at Winchester = dismissal of foreigners dind't last long, soon returned but there were tensions 1258 - Henry III - Provisions of Oxford first proclamation since the Norman Conquest issued in French, Latin as well as English meant to promote power-sharing between the barons and the king (recognition of parliament) not accepted by the king = Barons' War (1258-1265) Edward I most office-holders English changes in attitude towards English knowledge of English = mark of an Englishman English common language in all parts of the population (due to the merge of Norman French with the native population) Of Arthur and of Merlin (before 1325) (translated): But every Englishman knows English./ Many a noble I have seen/ Who could not speak French. consequences decline of French - there were attempts to hold this decline University of Oxford forced students to learn both English and French Canterbury and Westminster novices forbidden to use English French a foreign language English as a written language, the use of English in courts and Parliament established in the middle of the 14th century 15th century - English in private and public use; French still present in the Court and upper class