Middle english period

Middle English

  • The Norman Conquest
    1066

    The Norman Conquest

    The Norman Conquest was a pivotal event in English history and all subsequent developments in the English monarchy, government, society, language and outlook are coloured by it.
  • Period: 1100 to 1500

    Middle English

  • Henri II conquers Ireland
    Oct 18, 1171

    Henri II conquers Ireland

    Then on 18 October 1171, Henry II landed a much bigger force in Waterford to at least ensure his continuing control over the Norman force. In the process he took Dublin and had accepted the fealty of the Irish kings and bishops by 1172, so creating the "Lordship of Ireland", which formed part of his Angevin Empire.
  • King John loses the province of Normandy to France
    Jun 5, 1204

    King John loses the province of Normandy to France

    He lost the Duchy of Normandy and most of his other French lands to King Philip II of France, resulting in the collapse of the Angevin Empire and contributing to the subsequent growth in power of the French Capetian dynasty during the 13th century.
  • English replaces Latin as the medium of instruction in schools
    Jun 15, 1348

    English replaces Latin as the medium of instruction in schools

    Oxford and Cambridge choose to keep Latin
  • English is used in Parliament for the first time
    Jun 15, 1362

    English is used in Parliament for the first time

    The Statute of pleading replaces French with English as the language of law. Record continue to be kept in latin.
  • Wyclif published his English translation of the Bible
    Dec 31, 1384

    Wyclif published his English translation of the Bible

    Wycliffe's Bible. Wycliffe's Bible is the name now given to a group of Bible translations into Middle English that were made under the direction of John Wycliffe. They appeared over a period from approximately 1382 to 1395.
  • Chaucers begins the Canterbury Tales
    May 15, 1388

    Chaucers begins the Canterbury Tales

    The Canterbury Tales was one of the first major works in literature written in English. Chaucer began the tales in 1387 and continued until his death in 1400.
  • William Caxton establishes the first English printing press
    Jun 15, 1476

    William Caxton establishes the first English printing press

    William Caxton (c. 1422 – c. 1491) was an English merchant, diplomat, and writer. He is thought to be the first person to introduce a printing press into England, in 1476, and as a printer was the first English retailer of printed books
  • Colombus discovers the New World
    Aug 3, 1492

    Colombus discovers the New World

    After sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus touches down in the Bahamas, believing he's made it to East Asia.