Earlier Englishes

Joseph Aicken's English grammer for children

Pedagogic in intent, educational, intended for children. Written in English only, also uses images to teach letters. Scientific study of English filtering down into the classroom and working its way into the everyday lives of English people.

First English colony established at St. Kitts

Led to English being a major colonial power, marking the starting point of English being spread throughout the world(English as a international language) and different forms/dialects of English being developed (American English, Canadian English…), basically a “split” in the community of English speakers.

King James Bible published

The first major English translation of the Bible that was authorized (by King James). 

The use of English in church was raised as the bible was officially used in church. This bible is still used today and it is praised for its relatively simple language. It is the culmination of the reformation of the English church. Had major influences on other literary genres.

First alphabetically arranged English-to English dictionary, Robert Cawdry’s Table Alphabeticall

The first alphabetically arranged and monolingual English dictionary to be published. 

It contained about 2500 rare or borrowed headwords with English definitions. Many more dictionaries followed. This dictionary addressed a female readership (who wanted to read the bible)!

William Bullokar publishes the first grammar of English, his Bref Grammar

First published grammar of the English language. It was still heavily dependent on Latin terminology as well as the structure of Latin textbooks (e.g. the cases) but it led to the publishing of other books of this kind.

John Hart’s Orthography, which advocated for an increase in the number of letters in the alphabet

The first real phonological scheme. This included the introduction of five new consonant sounds (symbols/letters) as well as dots as indication for vowel length and quality. 

It s goal was the simplification of the English spelling system. .( Brings pronunciation and spelling closer Printed in its own proposed reformed spelling, thus not very popular. But, people were drawn to the idea of a spelling and pronunciation reform as a consequence, the success of all of which was negligible) 

Book of Common Prayer

Provided the English with material to conduct their religious lives in English rather than Latin; includes translations of many common Latin prayers, furthering the use of English in church

Act of Supremacy establishes Henry VIII as head of Church of England

Establishes Henry VIII as Head of the Church of England and divides the catholic church and the English church (after its reformation); partial removal from continental Latin Church. As a consequence, Latin loses much of its prestige in written debate and discourse. Instead, English is used increasingly in church services and the bible is (later) translated into English. Interest in older English texts arises; birth of English antiquarianism.