English

History of the English Language

  • Period: 450 to Jan 1, 1100

    OLD ENGLISH ERA

    The start of the English Era where words like "fere" (friend), "hither" (here), and "pece" (silverware) were used.
  • Charlemagne is Born
    Mar 5, 742

    Charlemagne is Born

  • Suspected Date of Beowulf
    Jan 1, 1000

    Suspected Date of Beowulf

  • Discovery of North America
    Jan 1, 1000

    Discovery of North America

    Vikings Discover North America
  • The Norman Invasion
    Sep 28, 1066

    The Norman Invasion

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

    MIDDLE ENGLISH ERA

    Mixture of French and English into a sole language due to the Duke of Normandy conquering Europe. Interesting words were "burn" (man or warrior), "comlok" (attractive), and "wyghe" (creatues).
  • First Recorded Autopsy in China
    Jan 1, 1145

    First Recorded Autopsy in China

  • Foundation of the Franciscan Order
    Jan 1, 1210

    Foundation of the Franciscan Order

  • Bubonic Plague Appears in China
    Jan 1, 1333

    Bubonic Plague Appears in China

  • Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
    Jan 1, 1380

    Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

    Lasted until 1392
  • The Invention of the Printing Press
    Jan 1, 1440

    The Invention of the Printing Press

  • Discovery of the Americas
    Oct 11, 1492

    Discovery of the Americas

  • Period: Jan 1, 1500 to

    MODERN ENLGISH ERA

    Split into two separate time periods, Early and Late, due to the various changes that arose during each time period. Some words we use now that were adopted from Spanish countries are, canyon, ranch, stampede, and vigilante.
  • Period: Jan 1, 1500 to

    EARLY MODERN ERA

    Common language began to appear in printing, and the pronunciation of words was developed and changed a lot during this time.
  • Publication of Shakespeare's First Folio

    Publication of Shakespeare's First Folio

  • Benjamin Franklin Was Born

    Benjamin Franklin Was Born

  • Benjamin Franklin Invents Lightning Rod

    Benjamin Franklin Invents Lightning Rod

  • The American Revolution

    The American Revolution

  • Shay's Rebellion

    Shay's Rebellion

  • Period: to

    LATE MODERN ERA

    The biggest difference between the Late and Early Modern Eras is that the Late Modern Era had more words because they adopted some from foreign countries.
  • Muslim Army Captures Mecca

    Muslim Army Captures Mecca

  • China Prints First Book

    China Prints First Book