Question

Почему английский король генрих 2 не знал английского языка

Answer 1

Он был французским герцогом Анжуйским. При английском дворе еще долго говорили на французском. Английский был уделом простолюдинов.

Answer 2

Why didn't King Henry II of England know English?

King Henry II of England, who reigned from 1154 to 1189, did not speak English as his native language. There are several reasons why he did not know English:

1. Norman Conquest: One of the main reasons is the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. After the Norman Conquest, the ruling elite in England spoke Norman French, and French became the language of the English court and administration. This linguistic shift meant that English was no longer the language of the ruling class.

2. Upbringing and Education: Henry II was born in France and spent most of his early life there. He was educated in the French language and culture, which further reinforced his fluency in French. As a result, French became his primary language of communication.

3. Multilingualism of the Elite: During the medieval period, it was common for the ruling elite to be multilingual. They often spoke multiple languages, including Latin, French, and sometimes English. However, French remained the dominant language in the English court, and Henry II primarily used French for official business and communication.

4. Political and Cultural Influence: The use of French in the English court was not only a linguistic preference but also a symbol of political and cultural influence. French was associated with the Norman aristocracy and the continental European culture that they brought to England. It was seen as a mark of prestige and sophistication, while English was considered a lower-status language.

It is important to note that while Henry II did not know English, it does not mean that he was completely unfamiliar with the language. He likely had some understanding of English, but his fluency and proficiency were in French.

Conclusion

King Henry II of England did not know English primarily because of the Norman Conquest, his upbringing and education in France, the multilingualism of the elite, and the political and cultural influence of French in the English court. French became the language of the ruling class, and English was considered a lower-status language during that time