Editing English (section)

== History ==
The history of the English language spans over 1,400 years, beginning with the Anglo-Saxon settlement of [[Great Britain]] in the 5th and 6th centuries. The language developed through several stages: Old English (c. 450–1150), Middle English (c. 1150–1500), Early Modern English (c. 1500–1700), and Modern English (from c. 1700 to the present).

=== Old English ===
Old English was the language spoken by the Anglo-Saxons, who settled in Britain after the fall of the [[Roman Empire]]. It was primarily based on the [[Anglo-Frisian]] dialects of the [[Germanic peoples]].

=== Middle English ===
Middle English emerged after the [[Norman Conquest of England]] in 1066, which introduced many [[Norman French]] words into the language. This period is marked by the works of authors such as [[Geoffrey Chaucer]].

=== Early Modern English ===
Early Modern English emerged during the late 15th century and is most famously represented by the works of [[William Shakespeare]] and the [[King James Bible]]. This period saw significant standardization of spelling and grammar, largely due to the printing press, which was introduced to England by [[William Caxton]] in 1476.