English book

History of the English Language

  • Period: 400 to

    History of the English Language

  • Old English Era
    450

    Old English Era

    450-1066 is approximately the time where Old English was the dominant form of language.
  • Jan 1, 1066

    Middle English Era

    1066-1450 is the era where people spoke in Middle English.
  • Date of the Norman Invasion
    Jan 1, 1066

    Date of the Norman Invasion

  • Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
    Jan 1, 1387

    Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

    Somewhere between the years 1387-1400.
  • Invention of the Printing Press
    Jan 1, 1440

    Invention of the Printing Press

    Somewhere between the years of 1440-1460.
  • Jan 1, 1485

    Early Modern English Era

    Takes place from approximately 1485-1603.
  • Discovery of the America's (by Columbus)
    Aug 3, 1492

    Discovery of the America's (by Columbus)

  • Shakespeare's First Folio Published

    Shakespeare's First Folio Published

  • The American Revolution

    The American Revolution

    Until September 3rd, 1783.
  • French Revolution

    1789-1799.
  • Women's Liberation

    Approximately 1960s-'70s.
  • Invention of Internet

    1969-2004.
  • Suspected Date of Beowulf's Writing

    Suspected Date of Beowulf's Writing

    Somewhere between 700-1000