The History of English

By JoelRamos
  • Period: 450 to 480

    Earliest Old English inscriptions

  • 792

    Viking raids of Britain begin

  • 800

    Old English epic poem “Beowulf” composed

  • 1100

    London becomes de facto capital of England

  • 1167

    Oxford University established

  • 1209

    Cambridge University established

  • 1500

    Start of English Renaissance

  • William Shakespeare writes his first plays

  • Publication of the first English-language newspaper, the “Courante” or “Weekly News”

  • First publication of “The Times” newspaper in London

  • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) founded

  • First edition of the “Oxford English Dictionary” is published

  • Sir Ernest Gowers’ “The Complete Plain Words” published

  • Second edition of the “Oxford English Dictionary” is published