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Period: 400 to 1150
Old English
Old English is the earliest known form of the English Language. It was used by the Anglo-Saxons and was highly influenced by German. -
476
The End of the Western Roman Empire
Rome was considered one of the greatest western civilizations known to man. Its fall created a grand shift in human history. -
1000
Beowulf's Supposed Writing Date
Beowulf is an epic poem consisting of around 4000 lines. Beowulf is an iconic example of Anglo-Saxon literature and is known for creating many well-known literary archetypes. -
1057
Macbeth Kills the King of Scotland
This historical occurrence not only had a huge impact on human history, but influenced a piece of work that changed English literature: Shakespeare's "Macbeth". -
1066
The Norman Invasion
The Norman Invasion was the overtake of the English Isles under Duke William of Normandy. It led to significant changes in politics and culture throughout the English Isles -
1070
The Canterbury Cathedral was Built
The Canterbury Cathedral was an important architectural feat and is commonly known for its mention in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. -
Period: 1150 to 1500
Middle English
Middle English is the variation of English that was spoken after the Norman Invasion. It is difficult to define as it was extremely fluid and incessantly changing. -
1215
The Signing of the Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was an extremely influential document that changed the face of law and later influenced the U.S. Constitution. -
1225
The Birth of St. Thomas Aquinas
St Thomas was a great influence upon Western philosophy and traditional Catholic theology. -
1387
The Writing of the Canterbury Tales
The Canterbury Tales is a beloved collection of stories. The book follows a group of pilgrims on their journey to the Canterbury Cathedral. Each pilgrim tells two stories. The tales have a wide range of themes and tones. -
1440
The Invention of the Printing Press
The invention of the printing press added stability and regularity to the English language and increased literacy among people. -
1455
The Printing of the Gutenberg Bible
The first book ever to be printed. -
1492
The Discovery of North America
Europeans discovered North America during what is known as the "Age of Exploration". -
Period: 1500 to
Modern English
While English is still evolving, Modern English is the variation of English that is still used today and earlier versions of it could be understood by modern-day speakers. -
1562
The Birth of William Shakespeare
An event that would change the course of literature forever. -
Publication of Shakespeare's First Folio
The First Folio is the original collection of all of Shakespeare's plays. It was published seven years after the death of Shakespeare and has 36 plays within it. -
The Beginning of the American Revolution
The American Revolution marked another dynamic shift in English culture. This shift began a new genre of literature as Americans searched for their identities through art. -
The Signing of the United States Constitution
This event is a validation of a document that has shaped the Western World. -
The Publication of the Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is a beautiful work of American literature written by F. Scott Fitzgerald
