Middle English (abbreviated to ME[ 1 ]) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman Conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English period.

Even harder to parse is Middle English and Modern English, which still have clear differences but are much closer in grammar and vocabulary. Let’s take a look at when the transformation from one to the other happened, and what distinguishes the two versions of English.

However, the peasantry and lower classes (the vast majority of the population, an estimated 95%) continued to speak English – considered by the Normans a low-class, vulgar tongue – and the two languages developed in parallel, only gradually merging as Normans and Anglo-Saxons began to intermarry.

Is Middle English still being spoken today? No, Middle English is not being spoken as a living language today. Middle English was spoken and written in England from about 1100 to 1500.

Old English became Middle English as the Normans invaded, adding their influence to the language in 1066. Also, raiders from Scandinavia added Norse influence as well. Overtime, the Great Vowel Shift occurred, as English speakers moved to sound less French simply through popular pronounciation.