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Period: 449 to 1100
Old English Period
The Old English period began in 449 with the arrival of three Germanic tribes from the Continent: The Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. They settled in the south and east of Britain, which was then inhabited by the Celts. https://langster.org/en/blog/a-brief-history-of-the-english-language-from-old-english-to-modern-days/ -
597
Introduction of Christianity
The introduction of Christianity in 597 brought about immense changes to England in social and religious matters. It also had far-reaching effects on the English language. https://learnershub24x7.com/how-did-christianity-affect-the-english-language/ -
Period: 801 to 1100
9th Century: Viking Invasions
Words of Old Norse origin have entered the English language, primarily from the contact between Old Norse and Old English during colonization of eastern and northern England between the mid-9th to the 11th centuries. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_words_of_Old_Norse_origin -
1066
Norman Conquest
French influence on the population was so significant that Anglo-Saxon commoners began consistently employing French vocabulary, even creating new words using French affixes and roots. Over centuries, French influence changed English from a homogenous language to a diverse, mixed one and greatly altered its grammar. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2022/07/350430/french-influence-on-the-english-language-under-norman-occupation -
Period: 1400 to 1500
Middle English
Late Middle English, from about 1400 to about 1500, which was marked by the spread of the London literary dialect and the gradual cleavage between the Scottish dialect and the other northern dialects. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Late-Middle-English-language -
1476
Printing Press
The printing press was brought to England by William Claxton in 1476. These new machine-made books much cheaper to produce and to buy and therefore levels of literacy climbed much higher among the English people. This also helped begin the greater standardization of spelling and grammar. https://www.myenglishlanguage.com/history-of-english/middle-english/ -
Period: 1500 to
Early Modern English
In the Early Modern English period (1500–1700), steps were taken toward Standard English, and this was also the time when Shakespeare wrote, but these perspectives are only part of the bigger picture. This chapter looks at Early Modern English as a variable and changing language not unlike English today. https://www.myenglishlanguage.com/history-of-english/early-modern-english/ -
British Colonization in America
The first permanent English colony in America was founded at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. The founder of the Jamestown settlement was the adventurer Captain John Smith, famous for being saved from execution by Pocahontas, the daughter of an Indian chief. https://www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item126643.html#:~:text=The%20first%20permanent%20English%20colony,daughter%20of%20an%20Indian%20chief. -
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Samuel Johnson's 'Dictionary of the English Language' is one of the most famous dictionaries in history. First published in 1755, the dictionary took just over eight years to compile and listed 40,000 words. https://www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item104671.html#:~:text=Samuel%20Johnson's%20'Dictionary%20of%20the,Johnson%20required%20only%20six%20helpers.