Here's a breakdown:
* The Norman Conquest (1066): The Normans, who spoke a dialect of Old French, conquered England.
* Linguistic Influence: The Normans brought their language to England, where it had a significant impact on the English language.
* Influence on English: Old French contributed a large number of words to English, particularly in areas like government, law, food, and culture. Many words that are still used today, such as "justice," "parliament," "beef," and "dance," have French origins.
It's important to note that English did not become entirely French, but rather a hybrid language that incorporated elements of Old French. This is why English is considered a Germanic language, but with a significant Romance influence.