The History of English

By noellea
  • OLD ENGLISH PERIOD
    400

    OLD ENGLISH PERIOD

    Examples of Old English--
    Good evening: Gōdne ǣfen,
    Pleased to meet you: Fægen tōgēane þū,
    How are you?: Hū gǣþ hit þē?
  • St. Augustine arrives in Britain
    597

    St. Augustine arrives in Britain

  • 660

    Caedman's Hymn Composed

  • Beginning of the Viking Raids of Britain
    792

    Beginning of the Viking Raids of Britain

  • The Writing of Beowulf
    850

    The Writing of Beowulf

    We don't know the exact date. Estimated to have been between 750 and 1000.
  • The Norman Invasion
    1066

    The Norman Invasion

  • MIDDLE ENGLISH PERIOD
    1100

    MIDDLE ENGLISH PERIOD

    Examples of Middle English-- I swear: So moot I gon, Shut up: Stynt thy clappe, Don't blame me: Blame nat me, For the occasion: For the nones
  • 1100

    London Becomes Capital of England

  • 1167

    Oxford Founded

  • 1349

    The Black Death

  • Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
    1400

    Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

  • 1440

    Invention of Printing Press

  • 1492

    The Discovery of North America

  • 1500

    EARLY TO MODERN ENGLISH PERIOD

    Examples of Early Modern English-- thou = you, art = are, dost = do, hast = have, 'tis = it is, Anon: In a moment, bodkin: dagger, fable: palm of the hand
  • 1500

    Beginning of the English Renaissance

  • King James Version of the Bible Published

    King James Version of the Bible Published

  • Publication of Shakespeare's First Folio

    Publication of Shakespeare's First Folio

  • Start of the American Revolution

    Start of the American Revolution

  • First Publication of "The Times" in London

    First Publication of "The Times" in London