English Middle OCR

English Middle Language

The Middle English language is a subset of Old English, the language that was used in England during the Anglo-Saxon period. This stage of the language can also be called Anglo-Norman or Anglo-French, though Middle English is now more commonly used as a general term for both Old and Middle English. The first use of Anglo-Norman can be traced to 1130, when Henry I of England invited many Norman (from present-day northern France) barons to come to England and help him rule since he did not have a son to inherit his throne. The Normans who came were highly educated and literate and soon brought their Norman French culture with them. They quickly established themselves at court and in the government. In time, many Anglo-Saxons began to copy Norman speech and writing styles.