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Middle English refers to the stage in the development of the English language between approximately 1100 and 1500 AD, following the Old English period and preceding the Modern English period. It is characterized by significant changes in grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary, as well as the introduction of many French and Latin words due to the Norman Conquest in 1066. During this time, English emerged as a dominant language in literature and culture, with notable works including Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales." Middle English reflects the cultural shifts and influences that occurred during this period of English history, including the rise of vernacular literature, the growth of towns and trade, and the increasing political power of the monarchy.