The History of the English Language

By zack_k
  • 400

    The Start of Old English

  • 500

    Settlement of Anglo-Saxons

    The Anglo Saxons began settling in Britain.
  • 600

    Arrival of St Augustine

    Arrival of St Augustine
    St Augustine arrived in Britain, & began the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons into Christians.
  • 700

    The Suspected Date of Beowulf's Writing

    Although unconfirmed, some speculate Beowulf was written around this time period.
  • 900

    The Creation of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

    The Anglo-Saxons began documenting their history in a book known as the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle".
  • 1100

    End of Old English/Start of Middle English

  • 1100

    The Norman Invasion

    During the Norman Invasion, England was invaded by the Norman, Breton, & Flemish armies. During this time, however, thousands of French words managed to sneak their way into the English language.
  • 1200

    “The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle” discontinued

    As the culture of the Anglo-Saxon died out, so did their Chronicle.
  • 1200

    King John loses the province of Normandy to France

  • 1300

    End of Middle English/Start of Modern English

  • 1400

    The Invention of the Printing Press

    The Invention of the Printing Press
    The printing press lead to the invention of the English dictionary, a vital tool in keeping the English language documented for future generations to study.
  • 1400

    The first new English-speaking monarch

    Henry IV becomes the first English-speaking monarch as of the aftermath of the Conquest.
  • 1400

    The Cantenbury Tales

    Chaucer wrote this collection of 24 stories starting in 1387 & continued writing them up until 1400.
  • 1500

    Start of English Renaissance

  • 1500

    The Discovery of North America

    Colonization of North America began in the early 1500's.
  • Shakespeare's First Folio

    Shakespeare made a whole collection of comedies, tragedies, etc, of which would eventually get published into what the world would recognize as Shakespeare's First Folio.
  • The American Revolution

    After the colonization of America, American colonizers started a revolution to become their own nation, & after winning their independence, the United States of America was born.
  • The First Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary is printed.

    The First Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary is printed.
  • Modern Day