History of the English Language

By MasonJ123
  • Period: 500 to Mar 18, 1100

    The Old English Period

    Hello.
    Ƿes hāl (singular). (WESS haal) Ƿesaþ hāle (male)/hāla (female)/hāl (mixed plural) (WES-ath haa-leh/haa-lah/haal) Ēalā (equivalent to Modern English word 'Hey'.)
    How are you?
    Hū gǣþ? (HOO GATH?) used as a real question, not a form of greeting."
    Fine, thank you.
    ƿel, þancie. (WELL, THAN-kih-eh)
  • Mar 1, 1000

    Suspected date of Beowolf's Writing

    Suspected date of Beowolf's Writing
    This is an epic poem of a hero said to have the strength of 30 men in each arm. Beowolf is believed to take place in 6th century Denmark and Sweden, with many of the characters believed to be real.
  • Mar 18, 1000

    English and Danes mix peacefully

  • Mar 18, 1066

    The Norman Invasion

    The Norman Invasion
    This invasion was a conquest of England led by Duke William II of Normandy controlling the Norman, Breton, and French armies.
  • Mar 18, 1100

    Attack on England

    Danes attack England, however the English king manages to escape to Normandy. The Battle of Maldon became the inspiration of many poems.
  • Period: Mar 18, 1100 to Mar 18, 1500

    The Middle English Period

    al, al be that: although
    als, also: as, also
    anon: at once
    artow: art thou, thou art
  • Mar 18, 1150

    William Becomes an Heir

    Edward, King of England, who was raised in Normandy names William, Duke of Normandy, as his heir.
  • Mar 18, 1204

    King John losses control of the Duchy of Normandy and other French lands.

  • Mar 18, 1209

    The University of Cambridge is formed.

  • Mar 18, 1386

    Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

    Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
    The Canterbury Tales are a collection of stories believed to be used to pain an ironic as well as critical image of the English society during it's time. The Canterbury Tales were written in Middle English, authored by Geoffrey Chaucer.
  • Mar 18, 1399

    English Becomes the norm.

    At his coronation, King Henry IV becomes the first English monarch to deliver a speech in English.
  • Mar 18, 1440

    The Invention Of The Printing Press

    The Invention Of The Printing Press
    This mechine was first created as an adaptation of the Screwing Press, which allowed one to apply pressure on a flat plane. The printing press allowed for people to mass produce books or other typed goods to help distribute them out.
  • Mar 18, 1492

    The Discovery of North America

    The Discovery of North America
    Although many other civilizations and groups such as the Norse and Vikings have seen or came close to landing on North America, Columbus did manage to come the closest by landing on the Bahamas. Although, that still isnt fully discovering America, It opened a gateway to allow others to settle and explore the new land.
  • Period: Mar 18, 1500 to

    The Modern English Period

    A hot potato
    Speak of an issue (mostly current) which many people are talking about and which is usually disputed
    A penny for your thoughts
    A way of asking what someone is thinking
    Actions speak louder than words
    People's intentions can be judged better by what they do than what they say.
  • Mar 18, 1542

    Regional Dialects Recorded

    Andrew Boorde illustrates regional dialects, in his Fyrst Boke of the Introduction of Knowledge
  • Mar 18, 1549

    First Draft of The Church

    The first version of the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England is published

  • First English settlements made in North America.

  • Publication of Shakespeare's First Folio

    Publication of Shakespeare's First Folio
    This was a publication of William Shakespeare's Comedies, Tragedies, and Histories that were all published as this one book, most reffer to as a Folio.
  • Period: to

    The American Revolution.

    A war between the North American colonies and Great Britain in order to win Independence from Britain.