The History of English Podcast Episode 72: The Dark Ages of English
Jan 11, 2016
The podcast explores the decline of English language in the 12th century due to Latin and French domination, resulting in regional dialects and communication difficulties. It discusses the strategic marriage between King Henry and Edith to unite ruling families. The stigmatization of English and adoption of French names during the Dark Ages is explored. The impact of Norman names and the emergence of surnames are also discussed. The language shift in England during Henry's reign is highlighted.
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English Near Literary Extinction
- By the early 1100s, English writing had almost vanished and spoken English fractured into regional dialects.
- Latin and French dominated prestige, leaving English socially stigmatized and declining in formal use.
Marriage To Reconnect Royal Lines
- Henry I married Edith, sister of the King of Scotland, to secure Anglo-Saxon support.
- The marriage tied Norman rulers to the old Wessex line and helped legitimize Henry's reign.
Bilingual Offspring Fuel Language Fusion
- Mixed Norman-English marriages produced many bilingual children and began fusing the two peoples.
- That bilingual, mixed generation helped create the conditions for a new English to emerge.
