-
600 BCE
THE CELTS
The first languages in the British Isles are the Celtic ones, like Welsh and Scottish Gaelic. Here are some examples of words from the Celts: hubbub (rampage) peat, (turba) -
55 BCE
THE ROMANS
In 55BC, there was an invasion by the Romans, who spoke Latin. Here are some examples of words from the Romans: anchor, (faro) butter (mantequilla) -
450
THE ANGLO-SAXONS
The first people who spoke English
arrived in England in about the year 450.
These people were the Anglo-Saxons
and their language was Old English. Here are some examples of words from the Anglo-Saxons: live, love, heaven, fight, good, evil, man, wife, child, sleep, eat, house, stone, rain, one, two, three, green, black, the, an, to, for, but, around, will, do, and, with. -
800
THE VIKINGS
From about 800, the Vikings started to invade Britain.
The Vikings came from countries like Denmark and
Norway and spoke a language that developed
into Norwegian and Danish. Here are some examples of words from the vikings: Leg, skull, skin, sky, egg. -
1066
THE NORMANS
In 1066, the Normans invaded England from Normandy in France.
They spoke an earlier version of French, and this became the language of prestige in England. Here are some examples of words from the normans: please, sign, very, peace, nobility, felony, attorney, government, parliament, justice, chivalry, court, courtesy, courage, beef, bacon, baptize, flower, power, royal, annoy, and joy.