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The Celts named many places such as Winchcomb.
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The Romans attempted (and failed) to take over England and its language. They spoke Latin and brought in names for cities like Manchester.
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The Anglo-Saxons invaded and they spoke Old German which included words like hammer, man and mother.
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The Normans invaded, therefore the upper-class spoke French. Old English and French mixed and Middle English was born. New words included tax, mayor and soldier.
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William Caxton invented the printing press and the books he made were in the London and Midland dialect, conseqently everyone began to learn this version of Middle English.
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One of the first dictionaries was written by Samuel Johnson. This made people think there was a 'proper' way to speak and spell, because previously it hadn't mattered how you spelt.
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Technology created new words such as radar and lasor. Fashion also left it's mark - punk and heavy metal words were made.
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The Vikings took over the Angles and Saxons and the languages merged together to create words like egg, take and anger.
