The Anglo-Norman period is an important stage in the history of English literature and language. It began in 1066 when William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold of England at the Battle of Hastings. After this victory, William became the king of England, and Norman rule started. This period continued until about 1350 AD, when English again became the main language of the people and the government.
The Normans were originally from France, and they spoke a form of French called Norman French. When they came to England, they became the ruling class. The kings, nobles, and officials spoke French, while common people continued to speak Old English. As a result, England became a bilingual country. French was used in courts, government, and literature, while English was spoken by ordinary people. Over time, these two languages mixed and formed Middle English.
During this period, English society changed greatly. The Normans introduced a strong feudal system, where land was controlled by the king and given to nobles in return for loyalty and military service. New castles, churches, and courts were built. Norman rulers also brought new laws and administration, which made England more organized.
Literature during the Anglo-Norman period was written mainly in Latin and French. Latin was used for church writings and education, while French was used for poetry, history, and court literature. English was not completely lost, but it was used mostly by common people and in oral traditions. Slowly, English writers began to use Middle English in written form.
Many important literary forms developed during this time. One of the most popular was the romance, which told stories of knights, love, adventure, and bravery. These stories were influenced by French culture and were about heroic deeds and noble behavior. The legends of King Arthur and his knights also became popular during this period.
Religion continued to play a major role in life. The church had great power, and monasteries were centers of learning. Many books were copied and written by monks, which helped in preserving literature and history. Religious writings, prayers, and moral stories were common.
The English language changed a lot during the Anglo-Norman period. Thousands of French words entered English, especially in areas like law, government, art, food, and fashion. Words like court, judge, beauty, dinner, and government came from French. This made English richer and more flexible.
By the end of this period, English slowly returned as the main language of England. Writers like Geoffrey Chaucer later used Middle English to write great literary works, which showed that English had become strong again.
The Anglo-Norman period was very important because it connected Old English with Middle English. It changed English culture, language, and literature in a deep way. Even though French dominated at first, the mixing of languages helped create the modern English we speak today.
References
Long, William J. English Literature: Its History and Its Significance for the Life of the English-Speaking World. Ginn and Company.