Introduction:

The Late Middle English period (1350–1500) was a time when the English language changed a lot. After

years of French being the main language (because of the Norman Conquest in 1066), English became

important again. Big events like the Black Death, wars with France, and protests by poor workers

changed society and language. English became simpler in grammar, mixed with French/Latin words, and

started being used in books, laws, and everyday life. By 1500, English looked more like the language we

speak today! This paper explains how these changes happened.

Late Middle English, from about 1350 to 1500, was marked by significant changes in pronunciation,

vocabulary, and grammar. This period features the Great Vowel Shift, a major pronunciation change,

and the influence of the Renaissance, which introduced Latin and Greek words into English. Literature

flourished with works like Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales,' showcasing the rich language of the time.

During Late Middle English, regional dialects began to merge, partly due to increased travel and trade.

The Chancery Standard started to develop as a form of official written English, influencing uniform

grammar and spelling. Norman French's influence was still evident, contributing to a richer vocabulary,

while word endings and grammatical structures started to resemble Modern English. It was a dynamic

period of evolution for the language. By the late 1400s, the printing press arrived, thanks to William

Caxton. This innovation helped standardize English, making literature more accessible and encouraging a

unified language. Spelling and grammar began to conform to the norms we recognize today. Chaucer's

works influenced literary English, and the language became more recognizable as Early Modern English

approached.

1. What Changed in Society?

1.1 The Black Death (1348–1350): A Disaster That Changed Everything

The Black Death (a terrible plague) killed 30–50% of England’s people. This caused workers to demand

better pay (since there were fewer workers), which weakened the old class system (feudalism). Many

priests and nobles (who used French/Latin) died, so English became more common in daily life. By 1380,

even legal papers like wills started using English.

1.2 The Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453): English vs. French Pride

England fought France for over 100 years. This made people dislike French culture and language. English

became a symbol of patriotism. In 1362, a law said courts must use English (though records were still in

French/Latin). By 1415, even King Henry V used English for official letters.

1.3 The Peasants’ Revolt (1381): English as a Language of Protest. Poor workers rebelled

against unfair taxes and rich landowners. Leaders like John Ball used English in speeches to criticize

inequality. His famous quote: “When Adam worked and Eve worked, who was the rich man?” Though

the rebellion failed, English became a tool for speaking up against unfairness.

2.1 Grammar Got Simpler

Old English had complicated word endings (like -en, -es). Middle English dropped most of these and used

word order (Subject-Verb-Object) instead. Example: “The king’s crown” replaced Old English’s “cyninges

crune.”

2.2 New Words from French and Latin

After the Norman Conquest, English borrowed many French words (like parliament, beef) and Latin

terms (like scripture). But everyday words (like house, child) stayed from Old English. Writers like

Chaucer mixed these styles.

2.3 Dialects Merged Into One Standard

Early Middle English had strong regional accents (e.g., Northerners said kirk for “church,” Southerners

said church). By the 1400s, London’s dialect (a mix of Midlands and Southern English) became the

standard because of trade and government. Officials used “Chancery Standard” for legal papers, making

spellings like such (not swich) official.

3. English Became a Language for Books and Art

3.1 Geoffrey Chaucer: The First Famous English Writer,

Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales (1387–1400) showed English could be poetic and fun. He wrote about

colorful characters (like the funny Wife of Bath) in the London dialect. His famous opening: “When April

with its sweet showers / Has pierced March’s drought to the roots.”

3.2 The First English Bible

John Wycliffe translated the Bible into English in the 1380s, even though the Church said only Latin was

allowed. This let ordinary people read the Bible themselves. Phrases like “the truth shall make you free”

became popular.

4. Making English Official

4.1 Government Rules for Writing (Chancery Standard)

After the Black Death, the government needed everyone to write the same way. Chancery Standard

used spellings like they (not thay) and grammar like hath (instead of has). By 1450, this was used

everywhere in official papers.

4.2 The Printing Press Changed Everything

William Caxton brought the printing press to England in 1476. He chose the London dialect for books

(like Le Morte d’Arthur), fixing spellings like right (not riht). This made English more consistent.

5. Why Does This Matter?

By 1500, English was used by everyone—rich and poor—in laws, books, and daily life. It helped create a

sense of national pride and set the stage for modern English. Even today, we can partly understand

Chaucer’s writing (unlike Old English), showing how important this time was!

William Caxton and the printing press.

Key features:

1. Social and Historical Context

Late middle English (1350-1500) was shaped by significant social and historical events. The Black Death
(1347-1351) drastically reduced the population, leading to social mobility and changes in the class
structure. The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) between England and France also influenced national
identity and the language.

2. Linguistic Features

Great Vowel Shift

As mentioned earlier, the Great Vowel Shift dramatically changed vowel pronunciations. For example,
the Middle English pronunciation of “bite” was closer to “beet,” and “meet” was pronounced like
“mate.”

3. Vocabulary and Borrowings

During this period, English absorbed many Latin and Greek words due to the Renaissance. Additionally,
Norman French, the language of the ruling class after the Norman Conquest, continued to influence
English vocabulary. Words related to law, art, fashion, and cuisine often have French origins (e.g.,
“court,” “ballet,” “robe,” “cuisine”).

4. Literature

Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400), known as the "Father of English Literature," played a crucial role in
standardizing English. His most famous work, "The Canterbury Tales," written in Middle English,
showcases the richness and diversity of the language at the time.

5. William Caxton and the Printing Press

William Caxton introduced the printing press to England around 1476. This invention revolutionized
communication, making books and other written materials more accessible. Caxton's choice to print in
English rather than Latin helped standardize spelling and grammar, as printers aimed for consistency.

6. Grammar and Syntax

Late Middle English saw a shift towards more modern grammatical structures:

- Loss of inflections: Old English's complex system of noun and verb inflections simplified, moving closer
to the structure of Modern English.

- Word order: Sentence structure became more fixed, with Subject-Verb-Object order becoming more
common.

- Pronouns and articles: The use of pronouns and articles became more standardized. For example, the
singular "you" and the plural "ye" began to merge into the more familiar "you" we use today.

7. Dialects and Standardization

During this period, regional dialects began to merge, partly due to increased travel and trade. The
London dialect, influenced by the East Midlands dialect, started to dominate, laying the foundation for
what would become Standard English.

8. The Rise of Early Modern English

By the end of the Late Middle English period, the language had evolved significantly. The arrival of the
printing press and the influence of writers like Chaucer set the stage for Early Modern English, marked
by the works of William Shakespeare and the King James Bible.

Another features include:

1. Loss of Inflectional Endings: Late Middle English saw the continued simplification of English grammar,
with the loss of many inflectional endings.

2. Rise of Auxiliary Verbs: Auxiliary verbs like "will" and "would" became more prominent, helping to
form complex verb phrases.

3. Increased Use of Prepositions: Prepositions like "of," "in," and "on" became more common, replacing
older case endings.

Notable Works:

1. Canterbury Tales (Geoffrey Chaucer, c. 1387-1400)

2. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Anonymous, late 14th century)

3. The Vision of Piers Plowman (William Langland, c. 1360-1390) Legacy: Late Middle English laid the
groundwork for Early Modern English, which would eventually evolve into Modern English. The period's
literary works, particularly Chaucer.

Conclusion:

The Late Middle English period was a transformative time in the history of the English language. It was

marked by significant phonetic changes, particularly the Great Vowel Shift, which paved the way for
Modern English pronunciation. The influence of the Renaissance brought Latin and Greek vocabulary

into English, enriching the language and expanding its expressive potential. The advent of the printing

press by William Caxton played a crucial role in standardizing English, making literature more accessible

and promoting uniform grammar and spelling. The works of Geoffrey Chaucer and other literary figures

of the time also contributed to the development of a more standardized English. Conclusion:

The Late Middle English period turned English into a strong, flexible language. Disasters like the Black

Death, wars, and protests broke old systems, while writers like Chaucer and inventions like the printing

press made English unified and powerful. By 1500, it was ready to become the global language we know

today!

Overall,

Late Middle English was a dynamic period of linguistic evolution, setting the stage for the emergence of
Early Modern English.

References:

1. Barber, C. (2000). The English Language: A Historical Introduction. Cambridge University Press.

2. Crystal, D. (2010). Language The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language (2nd Editi 1. Crystal,

David. The Stories of English.

3. Baugh & Cable. A History of the English Language.

4. Chaucer’s Canterbury TalesTales.

5. Books abouton). Cambridge University Press.