Middle English

1. The black death

1.1. It was a plague that hit Europe killing millions

1.2. The third part of the population of England died

1.3. The English peasantry were required to work the land and were in more powerful position

1.4. As a results, their language increased the prestige and the status

1.5. With the help of the Black Death, the importance of english continued until French was seen as an Alien tongue.

2. The "great vowel shift"

2.1. The pronunciation of most vowels began to change

2.2. GVS is responsible for the fact that English spellings now often strongly

2.3. GVS was first studied by Otto Jerpersen(1860-1943)

2.4. The greatest changes occurred during the 15th and 16the century.

2.5. The great vowel shift was major factor separating middle English from Early Modern English

3. The battle of Hastings

3.1. In 1066, Willian, Duke of Normandy, led a Norman French invasion of England

3.2. The force of Harold fought against the troops of Duke Willian in 7 milles from Hastings

3.2.1. Duke William won

3.3. The Anglo-Norman class spoke French and the other spoke English

4. Aftermath

4.1. William was crowened King of England on 1066

4.2. They learned English because of the need for communication

4.3. English vocabulary had an effect of French

4.4. Words taken from the Norman were associated with political and social spheres

4.5. Examples of words taken from French: justice, service, art, apparel, govern, etc