The History of English Podcast

In the years immediately following the Black Death, a labor shortage in the countryside led to the rise of yeomen and other rural laborers. The rise of these English-speaking classes led to corresponding rise in the prestige of English. The ascendency of English culminated with the Statute of Pleading which made English the official language of the government for the first time since the Norman Conquest. TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 121

The podcast explores the devastating effects of the Black Death in Europe, including its impact on the economy, social structure, church, and language in England. It also discusses the prohibition of speaking English in religious and educational institutions, the challenges faced by monks and students, and the process of creating a historical manuscript. Additionally, it examines education and language prior to the plague, the origin and spread of the Black Death, and the rise of English in schools and monasteries.

Explore the factors leading to the Hundred Years' War, the rise of English language, the Great Famine's impact, the spread of gunpowder, a rocky marriage, the beginnings of the war, and the advantages of the long bow in this intriguing episode.

The podcast covers a talk given by the host at the Sound Education Conference, discussing his experiences and the history of English. Topics explored include the evolution of the word 'where', the Norman Invasion's impact on English society, the connection between English and French, and the origin of 'Herra-watered' and its connection to Harvard University.

Explore the growth of surnames and urban centers in medieval England, the origins of common English phrases, the significance of shop signs in the Middle Ages, the evolution of the word 'spoon' and Anglo-Saxon eating utensils, the evolution of 'span new' and 'spick and span new', and the craftsmanship in medieval professions.

This podcast explores the evolution of naming practices after the Norman Conquest, delving into surnames, nicknames, and the historical origins of names like Jack. It also discusses naming conventions in Ancient Greece and the impact of the Norman conquest on Anglo-Saxon naming practices.

Exploring the spread of English into Celtic regions in the early 1300s, including the rise of Scots dialect, Edward I's fascination with King Arthur, the spread of English in Wales and Cornwall, the battle for Scottish independence, unique linguistic features in Scots, and the aftermath of Edward I's death and Edward II's reign.

Explore the history and standardization of measurements, the influence of different cultures on measurement words, the origins and connections of maritime measurements, the evolution of measurement standards and the role of Pi-Powder courts, the challenges of the bread law and the origins of a baker's dozen, and the significance of the number twelve and its divisions in human life.

This podcast explores the history of number words, tracing back to Indo-European roots and the replacement of Roman numerals with Hindu Arabic numerals in England. It discusses the use of tally sticks and stones for counting, the development of numbering systems, and the evolution of number words like 'one' and 'two'. It also explores the slow acceptance of Hindu Arabic numerals in England and their impact on arithmetic and science.

Explore the unique features of the Middle English dialects spoken in southern England after the Norman Conquest, including pronunciation shifts and usage of pronoun forms. Discover the oldest English beast fable poem from the 13th century and its significance in English literature. Analyze the southern accent features in English pronunciation, such as vowel shifts and influence on certain words. Discuss the evolution of pronunciation and spelling in Old English, including the use of 'z' and the interchangeability of 'i' and 'y'. Discover a fox's trickery and escape at the well and the differences between northern and southern accents.