* No comprehensive list exists: There's no definitive list of all words that entered English from French during this period.
* Gradual process: The influx of French words into English wasn't a sudden event but a gradual process that spanned centuries.
* Evolution of language: Many words have changed their meanings or disappeared entirely since the Middle Ages, making it difficult to track their origin.
However, we can say that the Norman Conquest of 1066 played a significant role in introducing a massive amount of French vocabulary into English. This influx was so substantial that it fundamentally changed the character of the English language.
Here's what we can confidently say:
* Thousands of words: It's safe to say that thousands of French words entered English during the Middle Ages, particularly in the centuries following the Norman Conquest.
* Broad range of areas: These words covered a wide range of topics, including government, law, military, education, religion, food, fashion, and more.
Examples of French words that entered English during the Middle Ages:
* Government: justice, parliament, government, tax, crown, duke
* Law: attorney, judge, jury, evidence, plea, verdict
* Military: army, battle, castle, knight, sword, armor
* Education: school, student, teacher, lesson, university
* Religion: angel, heaven, hell, faith, prayer, priest
* Food: beef, mutton, pork, chicken, dinner, table
* Fashion: gown, hat, coat, glove, shoe, trousers
While we can't know the exact number, it's undeniable that French had a profound and lasting impact on the English language during the Middle Ages.