The History of the English Language

By ZachReed07
  • Period: 400 to 1150

    Old English Era

  • The Fall of the Western Roman Empire
    476

    The Fall of the Western Roman Empire

    The fall of the Roman Empire Led to the breakdown of centralized government in England, creating conditions for Old English to develop.
  • Beowulf's Writing
    700

    Beowulf's Writing

    Beowulf is one of the earliest known works in the English language, making a cornerstone of early English literature.
  • The Norman Invasion
    1066

    The Norman Invasion

    The Norman Invasion in 1066 brought French Linguistic influences into Old English, Transforming its vocabulary and grammar.
  • Viking Invasions
    1066

    Viking Invasions

    800 to 1066. Viking invasions brought Norse language influences into Old English, contributing many words to the English lexicon.
  • Period: 1150 to 1490

    Middle English Era

  • The Black Death
    1351

    The Black Death

    1347 to 1351. The Black Death decimated Europe’s population and caused massive social changes, influencing language use and societal structure.
  • Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales
    1400

    Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales

    1387 to 1400. Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales is a key work in Middle English, showcasing the language’s development and influencing future literature.
  • The Invention of the Printing Press
    1440

    The Invention of the Printing Press

    The printing press revolutionized the production of books, leading to the standardization of spelling and grammar in English.
  • The Hundred Years' War
    1453

    The Hundred Years' War

    1337 - 1453. The long conflict between England and France led to the infusion of French vocabulary into English.
  • Period: 1490 to

    The Modern English Era

  • The Discovery of the Americas
    1492

    The Discovery of the Americas

    Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the Americas introduced new words and influences into the English language, expanding its lexicon.
  • Shakespeare’s First Folio

    Shakespeare’s First Folio

    The First Folio of Shakespeare’s plays helped preserve his works and significantly influenced the development of Modern English vocabulary.
  • The English Civil War

    The English Civil War

    1642 - 1651. This conflict between monarchy and parliament significantly affected politics, society, and the language, especially in written English.
  • The American Revolution

    The American Revolution

    1775 - 1783. The American Revolution had a profound impact on both the American and British forms of English, creating new terminology and expressions.
  • The Industrial Revolution

    The Industrial Revolution

    1760 - 1840. The Industrial Revolution spurred innovation, creating new terms and ideas that expanded English vocabulary.
  • World War II

    World War II

    1939 - 1945. World War II changed the world in many ways, influencing global culture, communication, and the English language.