The development of the English Language

By Abimorrison
  • 449

    Germanic English

    Germanic English
    The closest language brought to the English language 1500 years ago. This is common in the Netherlands, Friesan. Words such as three, four, frost, freeze, mist, blue, boat, meal, butter, see and storm have familiar dialects to the english language. This was brought here by Anglo-saxons and Jutes in the 5th centurary.
  • Period: 449 to Dec 31, 792

    Rumes (Anglo-Saxons)

    They travelled to england as the distance was only 250 miles away and they hoped for a better life. When they came across they brought a new form of language. They then introduced the Anglo Saxon kingdoms of: Kent, Sussex, Essex, East Anglia, Mercia and Northumbria. Words such as: youth, son, daughter still remain in modern English.
  • Period: 500 to Dec 31, 790

    Romans invade England and bring Latin

    Later they attack britain again and force the britons/Celts in to hiding. Many moved to Wales which means foreigner/slave, as many had to become slaves to survive the attacks. Some Celtic words such as: Crag, combe, brat and brog survive in modern English
  • 597

    Christianity Comes to England

    Christianity Comes to England
    Missionaries come to england and bring churches, monastries and Latin
  • Jan 1, 731

    History of English (Monk Bede)

    History of English (Monk Bede)
    The book: The history of the English Language was finished by Monk Bede in 731. Whish was latter destroyed by the Vikings when they invaded.
  • Jan 1, 793

    The Vikings attack

    The Vikings attack
    The viking attacked britain and stole preciouse items from Britain. Bringing across old Norse.
  • Period: Jan 1, 793 to Dec 31, 878

    Old Norse

    The vikings first attacked Lindasfarm then continued to spread thier conquest across Britain. They Spoke Old Norse.
  • May 1, 878

    Battle of Edington

    Battle of Edington
    King Alfred the great saved the English language from being wiped out after winning this battle and creating Danelaw. After winning the battle King Alfred then encouraged the church to use English for the bible so the community could read the bible in services and learn English.
  • Jan 1, 879

    Danelaw

    Danelaw
    Britain was split in half from the thames to the old roman road of botley street. The vikings had the North east, whilke the Anglo-Saxons had the south west which was then split into 14 Kingdoms.
  • Period: Jan 1, 879 to Oct 13, 1016

    The Danes and Norse language merged together

    Through trade and intermarrige both languages of the Viking and Anglo-Saxons merged together.
    Danish words: -by -> Farm, -thorpe -> village, -waite -> portion of land and surnames ending in -son
    Norse words: yet (gate) and beck (stream)
    Anglo-saxon and Oldnorse pairs: craft & skill, hind & skin, sick & ill.
    Old Norse affected English by introducing the /sk/ pheoneme from sky and introduced prepositions, pronouns and nouns.
  • Jan 1, 1000

    Beowulf was written

    Beowulf was written
    This famous poem was originally written in Anglo-Saxon rumes.
  • Period: Jan 1, 1016 to Dec 31, 1035

    Cnut was spoken

    This unified England as this was spoken by almost everyone in England.
  • Oct 14, 1066

    Battle of Hastings

    Battle of Hastings
    This was a battle between King Harold Godwinson of England and Duke William II of Normandy. To find the new ruler of britain.
  • Period: Oct 15, 1066 to Jan 1, 1485

    Old French

    The Normans invaded England bringing Old French whilst Scotland still used celtic words. They mainly brought words across that instated power and control but also others which contributed to the 1000 words they brought across.