When William the Conqueror became King of England in 1066, French became the language of the royal court in London. Norman aristocrats, merchants and religious orders followed William to the capital. The Norman influence on the English language is still evident today.
London is a most prosperous city,
There is none better in Christendom,
None more powerful, none more celebrated, none with a more well to do population of people with such a great love of generosity and honour, and who lead their lives in such courtly splendour.Thomas 'le Roman de Tristan', about 1170
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In 1066 William the Conqueror was crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey. He was accompanied by the Norman aristocracy who assumed power and land in Britain. French became the language of the royal court and of local administrators.
Settlers from Rouen and Caen came to London, including some Jewish traders. Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury, was the son of a Rouen merchant. After Beckett’s murder in 1170, he became patron saint of London.
Several monastic houses linked to overseas religious orders were founded in London. The Norman aristocracy gave land to these organisations. In 1089 Cluniac monks from Charité-sur-Loire arrived to take possession of St. Saviour's Abbey in Bermondsey. The priory of Southwark was founded in 1106 by Norman knights.
Other overseas religious orders included the Black Friars, the Grey Friars, the Knights of the Hospital of St. John and the Knights Templar.
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