A Chronology of the English Language 55 BC Roman invasion of Britain under Julius Caesar 43 AD Roman invasion and occupation under Emperor Claudius. Alfred becomes king of Wessex. He has Latin works translated into English and begins practice of English prose. 911 Charles II of France grants Normandy to the Viking chief Hrolf the Ganger. English replaces Latin as the medium of instruction in schools, other than Oxford and Cambridge which retain Latin 1349-50 The Black Death kills one third of the British population 1362 The Statute of Pleading replaces French with English as the language of law.
Records continue to be kept in Latin.
The Great Fire of London. Washington defeats Cornwallis at Yorktown. All rights reserved. Used with permission.