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.

'This is in many respects a really excellent book. The range of coverage is impressive, there is a strong emphasis on primary sources, and the material is clearly explained and presented in a format which assumes no prior knowledge. The treatment of spelling and punctuation change is particularly good, and there are many interesting and useful activities.' - Carole Hough, University of Glasgow, UK

'This study is an excellent textbook not only for English majors but for linguistic students of other languages as well who can benefit highly from a comparative perspective and tracing patterns of developments that took place in
the English language. The activities offered at the end of each chapter are highly beneficial allowing readers to deepen their understanding of the contents of the chapters. The texts offer valuable explanation of the chronicles. It is
an in depth study of the evolving variations in language over time and an insightful analysis of the development of the English language.' - Zeinab Ibrahim, The American University in Cairo 

Review of the previous edition:

'This volume is so crammed with examples from across the centuries that it is a pleasure to browse through its pages.'  - The Guardian

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

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. He is the author of A Course Book in English Grammar and Varieties of English, both also published by Palgrave Macmillan.