The English language changed a lot since the first contact with the Romans in 43 B.C.E. and it is still changing today. When they left the British Isles, Romans left behind Latin, which later was of great importance to the English language, giving that many words we use today have Latin origin. After the Romans, Germanic tribes migrated to the British Isles, shaping England and starting the period of Old English. In 1066 England is invaded again, this time by the Normans, who brought French and made it a number one language for the upper-class people. English survived thanks to the number of people who still used it in everyday conversation. It was so well imprinted that it was impossible for Latin or French to take over. However, the English language was highly influenced by those two languages. This period is called Middle English and during that time people such as Geoffrey Chaucer, John Gower and John Lydgate were crucial in preserving and nurturing the English language. The period of Early Modern English was the time of great political and social changes, but also the time when the English language really expanded and gained in importance. William Shakespeare, Henry VIII, King James, Sir Thomas Elyot and many others played the part in shaping the English language. The last period, the one still active today, is called Modern English and is a period of constant improvements, changes and expansions.