-
401
Celtic settlements
The Celts began to spread and arrived at the Black Sea, southwest Spain, central Italy, Britain and Ireland. (5th Century) -
500
OLD ENGLISH PERIOD
Germanic tribes invaded Britain, these tribes were the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes. They spoke some dialect of English called Englisc and became what we call Old English. (5th Century A.C.) -
597
Christianization
St. Agustine and a group of monks arrived in Kent. They wanted to teach the Anglo-Saxons about Christianity. The Anglo-Saxons borrowed a number of Latin words. During this time. -
701
King Alfred influence
King Alfred made English the language of education and literature. He started a history of England in English called The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. (Around 8th Century A.D) -
750
Anglo-Saxon poem
Beowulf was created, but it was written until 250 years later. (Middle of 8th Century) -
878
Old Norse and Old English.
King Alfred won and important battle. He and the Vikings agreed that England should be divided in two parts. The Vikings and the English managed to communicate because their languages were quite similar. Many words of Old Norse became a part of Old English. (Around 9th Century) -
1066
MIDDLE ENGLISH PERIOD
It has origin in 1066 and was formed for three main phases. -
1066
English in decline
After the Norman invasion, French became a less important language in literature, law and in official documents. English disappeared as a written language. (1066-1204) -
Oct 14, 1066
Death of king harold
King Harold of England was killed, and his army was defeated in the Battle of Hastings. -
Dec 25, 1066
William of Normandy influence
William of Normandy was made king on England in London. He made a lot of changes in the English society. French became the language of the governing classes and remained so for the next two hundred years. -
1204
English in ascient
After King John lost all his possessions, French became a less important language and the interest in English increased. (1204-1348) -
1348
English triumphant
The Black Death brought labour shortage and English popularity increased because is used to be the language of the working class. The Hundred Years War led to the loss of all continental holdings, so English people became uninterested in learning French. (1348-1509) -
1476
First Printing
William Caxton set up the first printing press at Westminster -
1500
Replacements and first printing consequences
The Celtic languages such as Welsh in Wales, Scottish in Scotland, Cornish in Cornwall and Irish in Ireland were being replaced by English. Although at the beginning of the century Latin was the language of learning in all Europe, the printing press made everyone interested in reading books in English. -
1501
Wales part of England
Henry VIII passed the Laws in Wales Acts to incorporate Wales into the Kingdom of England. (16th Century) -
1509
MODERN ENGLISH PERIOD
It has its origin when Henry VIII ascended to the throne -
1534
Parliament
Henry VIII used the Parliament to establish himself as the head of the Protestant church of England with the Act of Supremacy -
1558
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare obtained popularity with his playwrights. He created about 2000 words. -
1558
Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I ascended to the throne. Her age was one of the great flowering of Literature. -
Tudor Dynasty ends
Elizabeth I dies and James VI of Scotland, eventually King James I of England, Wales and Scotland. During his monarchy the word ‘ye’ was used as ‘you’, but by 1700 it had disappeared. -
James I´s bible
King James I ordered a translation of the Bible into English. -
English language changes
The peace that England had was destroyed and the language suffered other interesting changes. (17th Century)
