Anna Shaw, Braedon Bird, Courtney Sack and Natalie Rosas

Events in the world. October 14, 1066 – William the conqueror, defeats Harold Godwinson and the Anglo Saxons in the Battle of Hastings First Crusade to Holy Land Genghis Khan founds the Mongol Empire Start of the hundred years’ War between France and England Black Death in Europe 1485: The Wars of the Roses ends and the Tudor dynasty begins

1000-Beowulf is written out by the Monks 1375-Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is composed 1387-Chaucer begins The Canterbury Tales 1400-Geoffrey Chaucer dies, he was the first great writer in the English language Earliest surviving Paston letter written 1476-Caxton introduces the printing press into England 1485-William Caxton prints Sir Thomas Mallory’s Le Morte d’Arthur

The Norman conquest began on 28 September 1066 with the invasion of England by William, duke of Normandy. William, after his victory in the battle of Hastings, became known as William the Conqueror. William defeated Harold of Hastings and became king of England Henry II institutes judge and jury system throughout England Thomas a Becket murdered due ( knights had misinterpreted the kings angered phrase and killed Becket. Although the king was angry at Beckets actions, he in no way had ordered his execution.) Henry II declares himself lord of Ireland, beginning centuries of English-Irish conflict Modern English develops from middle English King john signs the Magna Carta England conquers whales Model parliament assembled under Edward I 1301 Edward II becomes first Prince of Wales, a title thereafter given to male heirs of British throne the hundred year war with France begins (a battle fought for territorial control within France and England)

Medieval Language After the nation of England was formed, the Germanic dialects spoken slowly changed into an early form of English. This version of English is called Old English. Old English was very harsh in sound and did not have any silent letters. It was much more elaborate then modern day English. It’s best quality was the ability to evolve and add new words as time went on.