This practical course book explores the development of the language from Old English to the establishment of Standard English. This third edition has been expanded to provide further background information, with a supplementary website and new sections to outline the development of writing hands and provide a brief introduction to palaeography.

DENNIS FREEBORN was Head of Language Studies at the College of Ripon and York St. John, UK, until 1984, and was Chief Examiner in English Language Studies for the London University Schools Examinations Board.

Preface to the Third and Second Editions
Symbols
Texts and Facsimiles
Symbols
Acknowledgements
Introduction
The English Language is Brought to Britain
Old English (I)
Old English (II)
From Old English to Middle English
Early Middle English 12th Century
Early Middle English 13th Century
Northern and Southern Texts Compared
The 14th Century Southern and Kentish Dialects
The 14th Century Northern Dialects
The 14th Century West Midlands Dialects
The 14th Century East Midlands and London Dialects
The London Dialect Chaucer, Late 14th Century
Early Modern English I The 15th Century
Early Modern English II The 16th Century I
Early Modern English III The 16th Century II
Early Modern English IV The 17th Century I
Early Modern English V The 17th Century II
Modern English The 18th Century
From Old English to Modern English Comparing Historical Texts
Postscript I To the Present Day
Bibliography
Index.