The Middle English Period

By HersonL
  • 900

    Spelling

    Spelling
    Innovations in middle English Spellings
  • 1066

    Norman Conquest

    Norman Conquest
    The Normans conquered England, replacing the native English nobility with Anglo-Normans and introducing Norman French as the language of government in England.
  • 1204

    Loos of Normandy

    Loos of Normandy
    King John lost Normandy to the French, beginning the loosening of ties
  • 1258

    First English-language royal proclamation

    First English-language royal proclamation
    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.
  • 1337

    Beginning of the Hundred Years' War

    Beginning of the Hundred Years' War
    The Hundred Years’ War began and lasted until 1453, promoting English nationalism.
  • 1348

    The Black Death

    The Black Death
    The Black Death killed an estimated one-third of England’s population and continued to plague the country for much of the rest of the century.
  • 1362

    Statute of Pleadings

    Statute of Pleadings
    The Statute of Pleadings was enacted, requiring all court proceedings to be conducted in English.
  • 1381

    Peasants’ Revolt

    Peasants’ Revolt
    The Peasants’ Revolt led by Wat Tyler 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.
  • 1384

    The Wycliffite Bible

    The Wycliffite Bible
    John Wycliffe died, having promoted the first complete translation of scripture into the English language
  • 1400

    English Poetry

    English Poetry
    Geoffrey Chaucer died, having produced a highly influential body of English poetry.
  • 1430

    Recordkeepings

    Recordkeepings
    The Chancery office (where legal records were deposited) began recordkeeping in a form of East Midland English, which became the written standard of English.
  • 1476

    Promoting Literacy

    Promoting Literacy
    William Caxton brought printing to England, thus promoting literacy throughout the population.