This practical and informative course book leads the student through the development of the language from Old English, through Middle and Early Modern English to the establishment of Standard English in the eighteenth century. This third edition has been expanded to provide more guidance and background information for students. New sections have also been added to outline the development of writing hands and provide a brief introduction to palaeography. The book also now has a fully integrated ancillary website.
1. Introduction
2. The English Language is Brought to Britain
3. Old English I
4. Old English II
5. From Old English to Middle English
6. Early Middle English - 12TH Century
7. Early Middle English - 13TH Century
8. Northern and Southern Texts Compared
9. The 14TH Century - Southern and Kentish Dialects
10. The 14TH Century - Northern Dialects
etc.