English Language Timeline By kennad Period: 400 to Dec 31, 1100 Old English 430 Invasion of the German Tribes 597 The Coming of Christianity and Literacy Dec 24, 700 And forgef us scylda urna Old English Jan 1, 792 Vikings Raid of Britain Begin Jan 1, 1000 Suspected Date of Beowulf's Writings Jan 1, 1066 The Norman Invasion Period: Jan 1, 1100 to Dec 31, 1500 Middle English Jan 1, 1167 Oxford University Established Dec 24, 1300 And forgyve to us oure dettis Middle English Jan 1, 1349 The Black Death kills one third of the British population Jan 1, 1399 Henry IV becomes first English-speaking monarch since before the Conquest Jan 1, 1440 Invention of the Printing Press Jan 1, 1478 Chaucer Canterbury Tales Jan 1, 1492 Discovery of North America Jan 1, 1500 Start of the English Renaissance Period: Jan 1, 1500 to Jan 1, 2012 Modern English Dec 24, 1600 And forgyve us our trespasses Early Modern English Jan 1, 1604 Robert Cawdrey publishes the first English dictionary “A Table Alphabeticall” Jan 1, 1623 Shakespeare's First Folio Dec 24, 1765 American Revolution Dec 24, 1800 And forgive us our sins Late Modern English Jan 1, 1804 Lewis and Clark document exploration of routes to American West
