Here's a simplified explanation:
* Old English: Spoken in England from roughly 450 AD to 1150 AD. It was heavily influenced by the Germanic tribes that invaded Britain, especially the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes.
* Middle English: This period (1150-1500 AD) saw a major shift. The Norman Conquest of 1066 brought French into England. Middle English is a mix of Old English and Norman French, with a lot of vocabulary coming from French.
* Modern English: This stage (1500 AD to present) is characterized by further changes in vocabulary and grammar, largely influenced by the Renaissance, the printing press, and the rise of global trade.
So, while Modern English has many roots, its primary ancestor is Old English. It's fascinating to see how languages evolve over centuries, and how historical events shape their development!