There is further evidence of re-colonisation following the Norman Conquest of 1066.

BBC: The many ages of Dartmoor

The second is the illusion of national self-containment, the belief that, since the Norman Conquest, English experience has unfolded within its own unique parameters, separating it radically from the continent.

ECONOMIST: British history

The 70m (230ft) long tapestry was commissioned by William the Conqueror's half-brother, Bishop Odo of Bayeux, depicting the events surrounding the Norman Conquest, and culminating in the Battle of Hastings.

BBC: Bayeux Tapestry 'made by same people in same place'

"The thing that struck me when I put together this list was that 90% of the top 100 words were one syllable, and that a large proportion were actually from Old English, meaning the basic words we use all the time in basic sentences are from before the Norman Conquest, " he said.

BBC: NEWS | UK | The popularity of 'time' unveiled