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600 BCE
The Celts
The first languages we know about in the British Isles are the Celtic ones like Welsh and Scots Gaelic. These people probably settled here about 600BC, that is more than 2500 years ago. -
55 BCE
The Romans
In 55BC there was an invasion by the Romans who spoke Latin. They gave Latin names to places and some of these names are still used today. For instance any place name containing 'chester' is derived from the Roman name for that place. It comes from their word for 'camp'. I bet you can think of a place name that has 'chester' in it. -
450
The Anglo-Saxons
The first people who spoke the language which over time turned itself into English conquered England in about the Year 450. These people were known as Anglo-Saxon and their language is also often called Anglo-Saxon or Old English. Many words from this time are still around in English: cow, house, bread and sword. -
800
The Vikings
From about 800 the Vikings started to invade Britain. The Vikings came from countries like Denmark and Norway and spoke a language which later developed into Norwegian and Danish. The language the Vikings spoke left behind many words in English: you, husband, law and anger. Also places: Tenby and Grimsby in which the 'by' means village.
