Here's a breakdown of how these languages impacted Middle English:
* Old English: The foundation of Middle English was Old English, the language spoken in England before the Norman Conquest (1066). Many basic words, grammar structures, and vocabulary remained, though they often evolved in pronunciation and spelling.
* Old Norse: During the Viking Age (8th-11th centuries), Vikings settled in parts of England, introducing words from Old Norse into the language. These words often dealt with things like warfare, navigation, and social organization.
* Norman French: After the Norman Conquest, French (specifically, Norman French, a dialect spoken in Normandy) became the language of the ruling class and government. This led to an influx of French words, especially in areas like law, government, and literature.
* Latin: Latin was the language of the church and scholarship, so it also influenced Middle English, particularly in areas of religion, law, and education.
The blend of these languages created the unique character of Middle English, which is often described as a "patchwork" language.