53027 britishlibrary

1.06 The History of the English Language Timeline Project

By lanak17
  • Period: 400 to

    The History of the English Language

  • German Tribes Invade Britian
    449

    German Tribes Invade Britian

    These tribes consisted of the Saxons, Jutes, and the Angels. They entered Britain from the east and south coasts, coming from Denmark and northern Germany.
  • Period: 450 to 1100

    Celtic Speakers Are pushed out

    Many residents of Britain were Celtic speaking peoples. After the German tribes invaded, most Celtic speakers moved west, or north.
  • Period: 450 to 1100

    Old English

    Example of Old English writing: On þyssum geare man halgode þet mynster æt Westmynstre on Cyldamæsse dæg 7 se cyng Eadward forðferde on Twelfts mæsse æfen 7
  • Period: 700 to 750

    Suspected Date of Beowulf's Writing

    It is not known when this poem was exactly composed, nor who wrote it, but they were an Anglo-Saxon poet. This epic poem is the oldest known, in English.
  • Period: 1066 to 1075

    The Norman Invasion

    An example of Middle English writing:
    Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote (1)
    The droghte (2) of March hath perced (3) to the roote,
    And bathed euery veyne (4) in swich licour (5)
    Of which vertu engendred is the flour
  • Period: 1100 to 1500

    Middle English

    The Norman Invasion brought a type of French which later caused a class division due to only royals or higher class peoples such as business men using that language. English became dominant again later on, but French words were still included, and it was called Middle English.
  • 1392

    The Canterbury Tales

    Geoffrey Chaucer was a Middle English speaking author and poet. The Canterbury Tales is a series of stories, that marks some of the most important works of old literature.
  • The Invention of The Printing Press
    1450

    The Invention of The Printing Press

    The invention of the Printing Press, meant that common language was in print, and documented. Printing meant books, and books meant reading. This invention slowed the process of language evolution.
  • Jun 24, 1497

    The Discovery of North America

  • Period: 1500 to

    Modern English

    Example of Modern English: William Findley and David Redick--deputed by the Committee of Safety (as it is designated) which met on the 2d. of this month at Parkinson Ferry arrived in Camp with the Resolutions of the said Committee;
  • Period: 1500 to

    The Great Vowel Shift

  • First English Dictionary Published

  • Publication of Shakespeare's First Folio

    Publication of Shakespeare's First Folio

    Shakespeare's First Folio is a collection of plays and other work, that didn't get published until seven years after he had passed.
  • Period: to

    The Industrial Revolution

    The industrial Revolution sparked when fossil fuels were founded, and the demand for mass production began to rose. During this time, many technological advances were born, such as the Cotton Gin, the Ice Box, and Newcomen's Steam Engine.
  • Period: to

    The American Revolution

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