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.

'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 EditionsSymbolsTexts and FacsimilesSymbolsAcknowledgementsIntroductionThe English Language is Brought to BritainOld English (I)Old English (II)From Old English to Middle EnglishEarly Middle English 12th CenturyEarly Middle English 13th CenturyNorthern and Southern Texts ComparedThe 14th Century Southern and Kentish DialectsThe 14th Century Northern DialectsThe 14th Century West Midlands DialectsThe 14th Century East Midlands and London DialectsThe London Dialect Chaucer, Late 14th CenturyEarly Modern English I The 15th CenturyEarly Modern English II The 16th Century IEarly Modern English III The 16th Century IIEarly Modern English IV The 17th Century IEarly Modern English V The 17th Century IIModern English The 18th CenturyFrom Old English to Modern English Comparing Historical TextsPostscript I To the Present DayBibliographyIndex.