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English language and culture in the Middle Ages

Study note

After the Norman Conquest, two languages were spoken side by side in England. The king and his noblemen spoke Norman French, while ordinary peasants carried on speaking Anglo-Saxon. Slowly, over many years, these two tongues blended together to form a single English language.

English steadily grew in importance. By the year 1400 it had become the preferred language of the royal court and of Parliament, replacing French at the top of society. This is a useful date to remember.

The period also produced great writing and a major technical change. Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales, a collection of stories told by a group of people on a pilgrimage to Canterbury, composed in English. It was among the first books printed by William Caxton, who was the first person in England to print books using a printing press. For the test, link 1400 with English at court, Chaucer with The Canterbury Tales, and Caxton with printing.

Memory tip: By 1400 English is the court language; Chaucer wrote Canterbury Tales; Caxton brought printing.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 4

By around which year had English become the preferred language of the court and Parliament?

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Show all questions and answers for English language and culture in the Middle Ages(4 questions with explanations)

English language and culture in the Middle Ages: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. By around which year had English become the preferred language of the court and Parliament?

    • 1066
    • 1400
    • 1215
    • 1485

    Correct answer: 1400

    By 1400, English had become the preferred language of the royal court and Parliament.

  2. 2. Who wrote The Canterbury Tales?

    • William Caxton
    • Geoffrey Chaucer
    • William Shakespeare
    • John Barbour

    Correct answer: Geoffrey Chaucer

    Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales.

  3. 3. Who was the first person in England to print books using a printing press?

    • Geoffrey Chaucer
    • Isaac Newton
    • William Caxton
    • Samuel Pepys

    Correct answer: William Caxton

    William Caxton was the first person in England to print books with a printing press.

  4. 4. In The Canterbury Tales, on what kind of journey are the group of people travelling to Canterbury?

    • a crusade
    • a market
    • a battle
    • a pilgrimage

    Correct answer: a pilgrimage

    The Canterbury Tales describe people on a pilgrimage to Canterbury.

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