English History Timeline

The history of English is rich and diverse, spanning thousands of years. Here is a brief timeline highlighting some key events.

• 500 BC: The Celts arrive in Britain, bringing with them their language and culture.
• 55 BC: Julius Caesar invades Britain, marking the beginning of Roman rule.
• 410 AD: The Romans leave Britain, leaving behind a lasting influence on the language and culture.
• 1066: The Norman Conquest by William the Conqueror leads to the introduction of Old Norman French into England.
• 14th Century: The English language begins to take shape, with Chaucer's works marking the beginning of Middle English.
• 15th Century: The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg leads to the spread of the English language.
• 17th Century: The English Civil War (1642-1651) and the Glorious Revolution (1688) shape the political landscape.
• 18th Century: The Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution transform society and the language.
• 19th Century: The Victorian era sees the expansion of the British Empire and the development of the English language.
• 20th Century: The 20th century brings significant changes, including two world wars, the Cold War, and the digital age.

English Language Map

For more information on the history of the English language, check out our comprehensive guide.