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Period: 450 to May 19, 1100
Old English
The invading Germanic tribes spoke similar languages, which in Britain developed into what we now call Old English. Old English did not sound or look like English today. Native English speakers now would have great difficulty understanding Old English. Even though, about half of the most commonly used words in Modern English have Old English roots. -
May 20, 1066
Norman Conquest
Began with the invasion of England by the duke of Normandy, while bringing a french dialect to England -
Period: May 19, 1100 to May 19, 1500
Middle English
In 1066 William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy (part of modern France), invaded and conquered England. The new conquerors (called the Normans) brought with them a kind of French, which became the language of the Royal Court, and the ruling and business classes. -
May 20, 1150
Earliest surviving manuscripts in Middle English.
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May 19, 1348
English replaces Latin as the language of instruction in most schools.
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May 19, 1362
English replaces French as the language of law.
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May 20, 1400
Great Vowel shift begins
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May 19, 1476
William Caxton establishes the first English printing press.
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Period: May 19, 1500 to
Early Modern English
Towards the end of Middle English, a sudden and distinct change in pronunciation (the Great Vowel Shift) started, with vowels being pronounced shorter and shorter. From the 16th century the British had contact with many people from around the world. This, and the Renaissance of Classical learning, meant that many new words and phrases entered the language. -
May 19, 1564
a Midsummer Night's Dream
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First English DIctionary Published
The first english dictionary was written by Robert Cadway. -
The first daily English-language newspaper,
The Daily Courant, is published in London. -
Period: to
Modern English
The main difference between Early Modern English and Late Modern English is vocabulary. Late Modern English has many more words, arising from, the Industrial Revolution and technology. -
Old English (Anglo-saxon)
The earliest tracable date of old english use.
