Footsteps of the English Language

By Pwnage895
  • 436

    Roman withdrawal from Britain complete

    Roman withdrawal from Britain complete
  • Period: 450 to

    Earliest known Old English inscriptions

  • May 20, 1066

    William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, invades and conquers England

    William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, invades and conquers England
  • May 20, 1150

    Earliest surviving manuscripts in Middle English

    Earliest surviving manuscripts in Middle English
  • May 20, 1348

    English replaces Latin as the language of instruction in most schools

    English replaces Latin as the language of instruction in most schools
  • May 20, 1362

    English replaces French as the language of law. English is used in Parliament for the first time

    English replaces French as the language of law. English is used in Parliament for the first time
  • May 20, 1388

    Chaucer starts writing The Canterbury Tales

    Chaucer starts writing The Canterbury Tales
  • May 20, 1400

    The Great Vowel Shift begins

    The Great Vowel Shift begins
  • May 20, 1476

    William Caxton establishes the first English printing press

    William Caxton establishes the first English printing press
  • May 20, 1564

    Shakespeare is born

    Shakespeare is born

  • Table Alphabeticall, the first English dictionary, is published

    Table Alphabeticall, the first English dictionary, is published

  • The first permanent English settlement in the New World (Jamestown) is established

    The first permanent English settlement in the New World (Jamestown) is established

  • Shakespeare dies

    Shakespeare dies

  • Shakespeare's First Folio is published

    Shakespeare's First Folio is published

  • The first daily English-language newspaper, The Daily Courant, is published in London

    The first daily English-language newspaper, The Daily Courant, is published in London

  • Samuel Johnson publishes his English dictionary

    Samuel Johnson publishes his English dictionary

  • Thomas Jefferson writes the American Declaration of Independence

    Thomas Jefferson writes the American Declaration of Independence

  • Britain abandons its American colonies

    Britain abandons its American colonies

  • Webster publishes his American English dictionary

    Webster publishes his American English dictionary

  • The British Broadcasting Corporation is founded

    The British Broadcasting Corporation is founded

  • The Oxford English Dictionary is published

    The Oxford English Dictionary is published

  • Settlement of Britain by Germanic invaders begin

    Settlement of Britain by Germanic invaders begin