English Language

  • 400

    Start of Old English

  • 450

    Anglo-Saxon Settlement of Britain begins

  • 597

    St. Augustine arrives in Britain

    Beginning of Christian conversion of Anglo-Saxon
  • 878

    Danelaw established

    Danelaw established
    Dividing Britain into Anglo-Saxon south and Danish North
  • 1000

    Discovery of North America

  • 1000

    Beowulf's writing

    Beowulf's writing
    Suspected date
  • 1066

    Norman Conquest

  • 1100

    End of Old English

    Popular sayings: "A different kettle of fish", "A Daniel come to judgement", and "A drop in the bucket".
  • 1101

    Start of Middle English

    *had to add 1 to 1100 to get it to go after the end of old English
  • 1167

    Oxford University established

  • 1350

    The Great Value Shift begins

  • 1385

    English replaces Latin as main language in schools

    (except Oxford and Cambridge)
  • 1387

    The Canterbury Tales

    The Canterbury Tales
  • 1440

    Printing Press is invented

    Printing Press is invented
  • 1500

    End of Middle English

    Popular sayings: "The apple of one's eye", "To throw down the gauntlet", and "To sink or swim".
  • 1501

    Beginning of Modern English

    Popular sayings: "Lit", "Savage", and "Legit".
  • King James Version of "the Bible" is published

  • Shakespeare's 1st folio is published

  • Beginning American Revolution

    Beginning American Revolution
  • U.S. ends slavery in America after Civil War

    U.S. ends slavery in America after Civil War
  • 2nd edition of "Oxford English Dictionary" is published