The history of the English language

  • 1500 BCE

    Proto-Indo European

    First glimpses of some languages of Proto-Indo European languages
  • 45

    Roman invasion

    The romans formally invade Britain and settle up until 410 and set the foundations for the Latinate use of language in Britain
  • 449

    Invasion of Germanic tribes

    The Angles, Saxons and Jutes settle in Britain and bring with them their Germanic twang and about 50 years later the creation of old English comes into practice.
  • Jan 1, 870

    Viking invasion

    Scandinavian settlers attack in the 780s but now a period of settlement begins in the east followed by settlements further inland and bring the language of Old Norse with them
  • Jan 14, 1066

    Invasion of the Normans

    William the conqueror is triumphant at the battle of Hastings and this starts the new age revolution of Middle English as the Normans bring with them Old French