-
The Normans conquered England, replacing the native English nobility with Anglo-Normans and introducing Norman French as the language of government in England
-
King John lost Normandy to the French, beginning the loosening of ties between England and the Continent
-
King Henry III issued the first English-language royal proclamation
since the Conquest, having been forced by his barons to accept the Provisions of Oxford, establishing a Privy Council to oversee the administration of the government, so beginning the growth of the English constitution and parliament -
It began in 1337 and lasted until 1453. It saw England and France bitter enemies in a long, drawn-out conflict that gave the deathblow to the already moribund use of French in England. It promoted English nationalism.
-
It killed an estimated one-third of England’s population and continued to plague the country for much of the rest of the century
-
The Statute of Pleadings was enacted, requiring all court proceedings to be conducted in English. All the official documents should be recorded in Latin. It was written in French.
-
It was led by Wat Tyler and it was the first rebellion of working-class people against their exploitation. Although it failed in most of its
immediate aims, it marks the beginning of popular protest. -
John Wycliffe died, having promoted the first complete translation of
scripture into the English language (the Wycliffite Bible) -
Public documents and records began to be written in English, and Henry IV used English to claim the throne.
-
Geoffrey Chaucer died, having produced a highly influential body of
English poetry -
The Chancery office (where legal records were deposited) began recordkeeping in a form of East Midland English, which became the written standard of English
-
William Caxton brought printing to England, thus promoting literacy
throughout the population -
Henry Tudor became king of England, ending thirty years of civil strife, called the War of the Roses, and introducing 118 years of the Tudor Dynasty
-
John Cabot sailed to Nova Scotia, foreshadowing English territorial
expansion overseas
