Question

What factors led to the rise of the London dialect as the standard? And what influenced this originally Essex dialect?

Accepted Answer

The ousting of the French from positions of power in the ME period left a power vacuum.This vacuum was filled mainly by people from the East Midlands, an area least affected by the plague. Their dialect features mixed with those of the native Essex dialect and Northern features.

Front	What factors led to the rise of the London dialect as the standard? And what influenced this originally Essex dialect?
Back	The ousting of the French from positions of power in the ME period left a power vacuum. This vacuum was filled mainly by people from the East Midlands, an area least affected by the plague. Their dialect features mixed with those of the native Essex dialect and Northern features.

Dialect Essex Power Factors Led Rise London Standard