# English becomes an official language of the courts (1362)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1362-english-becomes-an-official-language-of-the-courts
Categories: main-event

The Statute of Pleading required court proceedings to be spoken in English rather than French, though records remained in Latin. Within the broader Medieval Kingdoms period, the English, Scottish and Welsh polities were reshaped by conquest, parliamentary development, dynastic conflict, plague and long wars with France. This event is placed at 1362 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. The change reflected the growing social and political dominance of English after the Norman era.

## Why it matters
The change reflected the growing social and political dominance of English after the Norman era.

Ruler at the time: [Edward III](https://english-history.com/rulers/edward-iii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — English becomes an official language of the courts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=English+becomes+an+official+language+of+the+courts&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — English becomes an official language of the courts](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=English+becomes+an+official+language+of+the+courts)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281000%E2%80%931499%29)
- [UK Parliament — Living Heritage](https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/)