The History of English Podcast

This podcast explores the spelling challenges faced by scribes during the Middle English period and the innovations they developed. It discusses the techniques used to represent vowel sounds and the history of the 'I before E' rule. Additionally, it examines the evolution of spelling and the impact of pronunciation changes. The upcoming episode will delve into King Richard I and the Arab influence on English.

The podcast discusses the changing vowel sounds of Middle English, the challenges of representing English vowel sounds, the difficulties of distinguishing vowel pronunciations in Old English, the historical origins and pronunciation changes of words like 'shield', 'shelter', 'child', and 'children', the influence of consonant combinations on vowel sounds, and the changes in pronunciations and spellings of vowels in Old and Middle English.

Explore the spelling reforms in Middle English after the Norman Conquest. Discover the evolution of letters like Thorn and Eth in the English language. Learn about the W sound in Latin, French, and English and its transformation into the letter W. Delve into the introduction of the letter K, the development of the SH sound, and the evolution of consonants like G. Uncover the origins and development of the distinct letters I, Y, and J in English.

Explore the rebellions faced by Henry II, including conflicts with his own family. Learn about the division of Henry's empire, the origins of largesse, and the spread of the rebellion. Also, delve into the evolving English language through the Ormulum text.

Learn about the extensive bureaucracy needed to govern Henry II's Angevin Empire, the difference between Dukes and Counts in medieval Europe, the origins of the word 'Mark' and the concept of franchise, the etymology of 'treasure trove' and its literary associations, the delegation of authority to marcherlords in Wales, and the establishment of English colonies in Ireland and their impact on the English language.

Learn about the reform of the English legal system after a crime wave in the wake of civil war, the clash between Henry II and Thomas Beckett, the evolution of the grand jury system, the establishment of Oxford University, and the birth of the English common law system with its linguistic consequences.

In this episode, the podcast explores the linguistic situation in 12th century England under Henry II, where the languages of English, French, and Latin were all in use. It discusses the impact of French literature and how it contributed to the rise of the Robin Hood legend. It also delves into the challenges of communication in this multilingual society.

The podcast explores the impact of the marriage between Henry and Eleanor on England and France, including the end of Anarchy. It delves into the evolution of marriage terms and changing attitudes, customs and symbolism of medieval weddings, changes in the institution of marriage during the 1100s, the cultural revival brought by Eleanor's court, and the linguistic situation in 12th century England.

Explore the opulent court of Aquitaine and the rise of the troubadours during the civil war in England. Learn about the origin and meaning of 'love' in Old English. Discover the impact of troubadours on Western literature and their reputation as the rock stars of their time. Delve into the forbidden love affair between Dangerosa and William. Uncover the challenges faced by Eleanor and Louis in their marriage. Understand Eleanor's ambitious plans for an annulment and new alliances.

The podcast discusses the development of American English through Presidential speech and encourages listeners to check out the 10 American Presidents podcast for more. They also mention a new bonus episode on their Patreon page.