English Language Timeline

By kennad
  • Period: 400 to Dec 31, 1100

    Old English

  • Invasion of the German Tribes
    430

    Invasion of the German Tribes

  • The Coming of Christianity and Literacy
    597

    The Coming of Christianity and Literacy

  • Dec 24, 700

    And forgef us scylda urna

    Old English
  • Vikings Raid of Britain Begin
    Jan 1, 792

    Vikings Raid of Britain Begin

  • Suspected Date of Beowulf's Writings
    Jan 1, 1000

    Suspected Date of Beowulf's Writings

  • The Norman Invasion
    Jan 1, 1066

    The Norman Invasion

  • Period: Jan 1, 1100 to Dec 31, 1500

    Middle English

  • Oxford University Established
    Jan 1, 1167

    Oxford University Established

  • Dec 24, 1300

    And forgyve to us oure dettis

    Middle English
  • The Black Death kills one third of the British population
    Jan 1, 1349

    The Black Death kills one third of the British population

  • Henry IV becomes first English-speaking monarch since before the Conquest
    Jan 1, 1399

    Henry IV becomes first English-speaking monarch since before the Conquest

  • Invention of the Printing Press
    Jan 1, 1440

    Invention of the Printing Press

  • Chaucer Canterbury Tales
    Jan 1, 1478

    Chaucer Canterbury Tales

  • Discovery of North America
    Jan 1, 1492

    Discovery of North America

  • Start of the English Renaissance
    Jan 1, 1500

    Start of the English Renaissance

  • Period: Jan 1, 1500 to

    Modern English

  • And forgyve us our trespasses

    Early Modern English
  • Robert Cawdrey publishes the first English dictionary

    Robert Cawdrey publishes the first English dictionary

    “A Table Alphabeticall”
  • Shakespeare's First Folio

    Shakespeare's First Folio

  • American Revolution

    American Revolution

  • And forgive us our sins

    Late Modern English
  • Lewis and Clark document exploration of routes to American West

    Lewis and Clark document exploration of routes to American West

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