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450
Anglo-Saxon Settlement in Britian
This is the settlement of Frisians, Saxons, Angles, and Jutes in Britain. -
Period: 450 to Jan 1, 1066
Old English
This was the language of the Anglo-Saxons. This language has a highly Germanic vocabulary. Some common words from this time period are: bedight (to decorate), ditty (a short song), oft (many times), pannikin (a small pan or cup), thither (to or toward that place), wight 9a human being), betroth (give to in marriage), and banshee ( a wailing female spirit). -
580
The Writing of Beowulf
The exact date is unknown, but it is suspected that Beowulf was written between the year 580, and the year 700. -
Jan 1, 731
“The Ecclesiastical History of the English People” is Written
This was written by Venerable Bede explaining the history of England and the Christian Churches in England. -
Jan 1, 865
The Danes Invade and Occupy Northumbria
After a huge army of Danes camped the winter in East Anglia they turned their attention to Northumbria. -
Jan 1, 1000
The Discovery of North America
North America was most likely discovered by Leif Erikson, a viking who made the North Atlantic crossing to Newfoundland with his crew. This was 492 years before what everyone believes to be the discovery of North America by Christopher Colombus. -
Jan 1, 1066
The Norman Invasion
The invasion of England by Norman, French, and Breton soldiers. These soldiers were led by Duke William II of Normandy. -
Period: Jan 1, 1066 to Jan 1, 1450
Middle English
This includes the English that was spoken from the Norman Conquest, to the late 1400's. Some common words of the time period include: anon (at once), artow (art thou), brenne (burn), coy (quiet), fro (from), ich (I), kynde (nature), ne (not,nor), quod (said), seye (say), yaf (gave), and ywis (surely). -
Jan 1, 1150
Oldest Surviving Manuscripts of the Middle English Language
The oldest manuscripts of the Middle English language date back to about 1150. -
Jan 1, 1209
The University of Cambridge is Established
Cambridge University is a university in Cambridge, England. Cambridge is the second oldest university of the English-speaking world. -
Jan 1, 1349
Black Death Wipes Out 1/3 of the English Population
The Black Death, a deadly plague that occured in the 14th century, killed approximately 1/3 of the English population. This disease was carried by fleas that had gotten the disease from rats. -
Jan 1, 1440
The Invention of the Printing Press
The printing press, which allowed books to be mass produced, was invented by Johannes Gutenberg around the year 1440. -
Period: Jan 1, 1450 to
Modern English
This represents the English spoken from about the time of Shakespeare to present day. Some common words of Early Modern English includes: art (are), ere (before), hark (listen), hath (has), thy (your), and whence (from where). Some common words of Modern English are: bling (expensive jewelry), hater (a person who dislikes a person or thing), jeggings (jeans and leggings), locavore (a person whose diet consists of only locally grown food), and unfriend (to remove someone from a friend list). -
Jan 1, 1475
Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
Geoffery Chaucer lived from 1341-1400, but his book wasn't published until 1475. This book consists of 24 stories told for a story-telling contest between a group of pilgrims. -
Jan 1, 1549
"The Book of Common Prayer" Published
This is a book of multiple prayers of the Anglican Churches. -
Publication of Shakespeares First Folio
This is the first collected edition of Shakespeare's plays. -
The American Revolution
The American Revolution was a war between the 13 colonies in America and the British Crowne. The British had crossed many boundaries including: quartering soldiers and taxation. What started the Revolutionary War was kicked off at The Battle of Lexington and Concord in April, 1775. -
Slavery is Abolished in the United States
The 13th amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States, was passed by congress on January 31, 1865. -
The 2nd Edition of the "Oxford English Dictionary" is Published
The "Oxford English Dictionary" is a book of over 170,000 words and their definitions.
