Here's why:
* Normans were originally Vikings: The Normans originated from Scandinavia (specifically, the region of Normandy in northern France). They spoke Old Norse, a North Germanic language.
* Norman Conquest of England: In 1066, the Normans conquered England.
* Language Shift: After conquering England, the Normans gradually adopted the language of the region, which was Old French. This French dialect evolved into Old Norman French.
Old Norman French became the language of the English court and aristocracy for centuries, leaving a lasting impact on the English language. Many English words with French roots, especially those relating to law, government, and food, originated from this period.