The History of English Podcast
Alle afleveringen
203 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Episode 96: From Alpha to Omega
7 juli 2017 · 58 min
During the early Middle English period, the long vowel sound represented by letter A started to shift to a new sound represented by letter O. In this episode, we explore this early vowel shift, and we also explore the dispute between King John and Pope Innocent III over the selection of a new Archbishop of Canterbury. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 96
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Episode 95: Old School and New School
15 juni 2017 · 1 uur 8 min
The 12th and 13th Centuries saw the rise of new institutions of higher learning called “universities.” In this episode, we look at the changing educational system in Western Europe and the rise of Oxford and Cambridge. We also explore the etymology of words associated with Medieval education and universities. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 95
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Episode 94: From British Legend to English King
24 mei 2017 · 1 uur 5 min
The first version of the King Arthur legend to be composed in English is found in Layamon’s 13th century poem called Brut. In this episode, we explore Layamon’s version of the story, and we examine how the text reveals certain changes in the English language during that period. Specifically, we look at new English words documented for the first time in the text, as well as grammatical and phonological changes reflected in the manuscript. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 94
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Episode 93: The Two Arthurs
23 april 2017 · 1 uur 2 min
The introduction to Layamon’s Brut Lees meer
In this episode, we look at the rivalry between John “Lackland” and Arthur of Brittany for control of the Angevin Empire. John eventually emerged victorious, but in the process, he set in motion the events that led to the loss of Normandy and most of northern France. The loss of these territories produced a renewed sense of “Englishness” and a revival of English literature. This English renaissance was spearheaded by an English translation of Geoffrey of Monmouth’s “History of the Kings of Britain.” For the first time, the legend of King Arthur was presented in English verse.
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 93
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Episode 92: The Lion Kings
30 maart 2017 · 51 min
During the Middle Ages, lions were adopted as symbols of European royalty. Many monarchs also acquired nicknames related to lions. That included Richard the Lionheart. In this episode, we explore the origin of that nickname, and we examine the popular perception of exotic animals from Africa and Asia. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 92
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Episode 91: Traders and Traitors
8 maart 2017 · 1 uur 17 min
During the Crusades, Christian forces and Muslim forces traded blows in the Holy Land. At the same time, Europeans and Arabs traded goods through an extensive trading network that passed through the Near East and the Mediterranean. In this episode, we look at traders and Crusaders, and we explore the impact of these developments on the English language. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 91
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Episode 90: Healers, Hospitals and Holy Wars
15 februari 2017 · 1 uur
In this episode, we turn our attention to the Near East to explore the spread of Islam and the rise of Muslim science in the Middle Ages. This scientific and literary revolution in the Near East contributed to the English language in some surprising ways. We also explore the connections between healers and holy warriors, and we see how the modern hospital was a product of those two contradictory forces. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 90
Map Prepared by Louis Henwood (Click Map for Larger Image)
Map Prepared by Louis Henwood (Click Map for Larger Image)
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Episode 89: ‘I Before E’ and All That
23 januari 2017 · 52 min
During the Middle English period, scribes developed a variety of spelling innovations to distinguish the sound of the various vowels. Some of those innovations were borrowed from French, and some were native to English. In this episode, we explore those spelling techniques, many of which still survive in Modern English. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 89
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Episode 88: The Long and Short of It
4 januari 2017 · 53 min
The Middle English document called the Ormulum is a goldmine for historical linguists because the text explicitly indicated how the vowel sounds in the text were to be pronounced. The text was written at a time when the vowels in many words were changing. Some long vowels were being pronounced as short vowels, and vice versa. The Ormulum captured many of these changes for posterity. In this episode, we explore the concept of long vowels and short vowels, and we see how Modern English uses many of the same spelling innovations first documented in the Ormulum. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 88
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Episode 87: The First Spelling Reformers
7 december 2016 · 56 min
Following the Norman Conquest of England, the French-educated scribes encountered the English language used by the Anglo-Saxons. The new scribes discovered unfamiliar letters and strange spellings. Early Middle English documents like the Ormulum show several spelling innovations introduced during this period. In this episode, we examine how the French-trained scribes introduced new spellings for certain consonant sounds. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 87
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Episode 86: Family of Rebels
15 november 2016 · 50 min
The final years of Henry II’s reign were consumed with putting down rebellions. Those rebels included Henry’s sons and wife. In this episode, we explore Henry’s family of rebels. We also examine the book of homilies known as the Ormulum. This early Middle English text appeared near the end of Henry’s reign, and it contained the first known usage of many Modern English words. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 86
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Episode 85: How to Run an Empire
24 oktober 2016 · 59 min
The massive realm of Henry II extended from southern France through the British Isles. The administration of the so-called “Angevin Empire” required an extensive bureaucracy. In this episode, we examine some of the key government officials who administered the government of England. We also explore the first English settlements in Ireland. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 85
Map Prepared by Louis Henwood (Click Map for Larger Image)
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Episode 84: Law, Order and Murder
29 september 2016 · 1 uur 1 min
In the wake of civil war and anarchy in England, a crime wave gripped the nation. Murders and other violent crimes were rampant. Henry II sought to reimpose law and order throughout the country by reforming the English legal system. In this episode, we look at Henry’s criminal justice reforms and the emergence of the English common law. We also explore the linguistic consequences of this legal reform. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 84
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Episode 83: A Trilingual Nation
6 september 2016 · 53 min
During the reign of Henry II, the speech of England was dominated by three languages – English, French and Latin. In this episode, we examine the relative roles of those three languages, and we also explore how the social barriers between those languages were breaking down in the 12th century. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 83
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Episode 82: A Marriage for the Ages
3 augustus 2016 · 53 min
The marriage of Matilda’s son, Henry, to Eleanor of Aquitaine was a crucial event in the history of England and France. It produced a powerful realm which contributed to the return of peace and the end of Anarchy. In this episode, we explore these political developments, and we also examine the state of marriage in 12th century Europe. We also explore how these events shaped the vocabulary of the English language. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 82
Map Prepared by Louis Henwood (Click Map for Larger Image)
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Episode 81: Love Songs and Troubadours
15 juli 2016 · 58 min
While civil war raged in England, a completely different culture was flourishing in southern France. In this episode, we explore the opulent court of Aquitaine and the rise of the troubadours. Love was in the air as a new type of poetry was created in the 12th century. We also examine words associated with Medieval entertainment and courtly life. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 81
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Announcement: 10 American Presidents Podcast
1 juli 2016 · 2 min
Check out the 10 American Presidents podcast for an episode about the development of American English and the influence of presidential speech on American English.
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Episode 80: Knight Life
23 juni 2016 · 1 uur 5 min
Much of the devastation of the Anarchy was carried out by knights who acted as thugs and bullies. For several generations, knights had served as the strongmen of western Europe. By the 12th century, the nature of knighthood was starting to change. The Church was taking a more active role in knightly affairs, and the mounted knights were gradually becoming lesser nobles. In this episode, we explore the evolution of the Medieval knight from mounted warrior to the eve of chivalry. We also explore the etymology of words related to knighthood. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 80
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Episode 79: Anarchy
18 mei 2016 · 50 min
In the years after Matilda’s return to England, the country descended into chaos and civil war. This period is known by modern historians as the Anarchy. The events were recorded by a scribe in Peterborough who wrote in an early form of Middle English. In this episode, we examine these events through the entries in the Peterborough Chronicle. We also explore several new pronoun forms which appear for the first time in these passages. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 79
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Episode 78: Under Siege
29 april 2016 · 54 min
In this episode, we explore the outbreak of civil war in England as forces loyal to Matilda took up arms against King Stephen. The civil war led to a breakdown of central authority. The power vacuum was filled by local barons who constructed castles throughout the countryside. This ushered in a new era of siege warfare. We explore these events as recorded in the Peterborough Chronicle, and we examine how siege warfare influenced the English language. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 78
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Episode 77: Rival Relatives and the Land of Scots
11 april 2016 · 51 min
Following the death of Henry I, the king’s nephew Stephen seized the throne and claimed the English throne before Matilda could get to England. We examine the reasons why Stephen was considered an acceptable alternative to Matilda. As soon as Stephen became king, he experienced challenges from a couple of English nobles. One of those nobles also happened to be the King of Scotland. We examine these initial challenges and explore the origin of Scots – the first version of English spoken outside of England. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 77
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Episode 76: The Gender Problem
25 maart 2016 · 48 min
The final continuation of the Peterborough Chronicle captured a major change in the history of the English language. That change was the loss of grammatical gender. The traditional distinctions between masculine and feminine nouns disappeared in the final few entries of the Chronicle. This development coincided with the first attempt to place a female on the English throne. In this episode, we look at the weakening of these traditional gender barriers. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 76
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Episode 75: Mixed Languages and Scrambled Eggs
2 maart 2016 · 50 min
In this episode, we continue our look at the gradual emergence of Middle English from the linguistic rubble left in the wake of the Norman Conquest. English remained fractured and broken, and foreign influences continued to come in. We explore … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 74: Head Cities and Home Towns
16 februari 2016 · 57 min
The population of England grew significantly in the centuries following the Norman Conquest of England. That development led to the growth of villages, towns and cities. During that period, London also emerged as the capital of England. In this episode, we … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 73: Possession, Power and Checkmate
30 januari 2016 · 1 uur 2 min
In this episode, we explore the connections between possessions and power – especially political power. No Medieval king exemplified that connection better than Henry I of England. Henry valued his possessions, and he made sure to collect every penny that was … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 72: The Dark Ages of English
11 januari 2016 · 50 min
The early part of the 12th century represented the darkest days of the English language. English writing had almost disappeared, and spoken English was divided among a variety of regional dialects that were often incomprehensible to speakers in other parts … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 71: On The Hunt
5 december 2015 · 1 uur 4 min
In this episode, we explore the events leading to the death of William the Conqueror. And we’ll look at the reign of his son and namesake, William Rufus. The story of William’s succession is also the story of a sibling … Continue reading →
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Episode 70: Mind Your Manors For Pete’s Sake
15 november 2015 · 45 min
For more than a century following the Norman Conquest, English writing fell out of favor. During that hiatus, French words continued to flow into English. A lot of those words were associated with the manors that dotted the English countryside … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 69: From Conquest to Domesday
30 oktober 2015 · 46 min
In the two decades that followed the Norman Conquest, most of the land in England passed into the hands of French-speaking nobles. This process not only brought the feudal system to England, it also brought the French language to the … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 68: Rebels With a Cause
16 oktober 2015 · 49 min
It may come as a surprise that William the Conqueror embraced English after the Norman Conquest. He also maintained much of the existing Anglo-Saxon bureaucracy. Had William continued those policies, the English language would be very different today. Despite William’s attempt … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 67: The Year That Changed English
18 september 2015 · 1 uur 6 min
In this episode, we look at the events of 1066 – one of the most important dates in the history of English. Of course, this was the year of the Norman Conquest and the beginning of the end of Old … Continue reading →
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Episode 66: Broken Promises and the Eve of Conquest
20 augustus 2015 · 56 min
Many scholars consider the Norman Conquest of England to be the most important event in the history of the English language. The man who directed that conquest was William of Normandy. In this episode, we examine William’s rise from a … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 65: Norman Dukes and Dialects
31 juli 2015 · 56 min
In the century before the Norman Conquest of England, Normandy gradually emerged as a powerful player in the politics of northern Europe. Meanwhile, the language of the Normans underwent a major transition. The original Scandinavian language of the Normans gave way to a unique French dialect. In this episode, we explore the rise of Normandy and examine the changing language of the Normans. We also examine the legacy of the Norman vocabulary on Modern English. Lees meer
TRANSCRIPT: EPISODE 65
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Episode 64: Feudalism and Early Normans
10 juli 2015 · 1 uur 3 min
The Normandy of William the Conqueror was a product of the feudal age of Western Europe. In this episode, we explore the history of feudalism, and we examine words associated with feudalism which entered the English language. We also look … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Bonus Episode 7: Stuffed Animals
25 juni 2015 · 14 min
In this bonus episode we look at the etymology of certain words related to animals. We also examine words related to stuffing.
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Episode 63: Restorations and Remedies
2 juni 2015 · 1 uur 7 min
In this episode, we explore two different types of restorations. We begin with the restoration of the traditional West Saxon monarchy under Edward the Confessor. Edward’s nickname reflects his piety and his purported ability to cure sick people with his … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 62: Flesh and Blood
11 mei 2015 · 1 uur 6 min
In this episode we explore two aspects of the term ‘flesh and blood.’ We examine the human body from the perspective of the Anglo-Saxons by looking at their words for parts of the body. We also explore Old English words associated … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 61: Earls and Churls
22 april 2015 · 1 uur 2 min
During his reign as King of England, Canute established a new class of nobles who became known as earls. The authority of the earls was second only to the king himself. The king and the nobles ruled over the common … Continue reading →
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Episode 60: Danes, Death and Taxes
30 maart 2015 · 1 uur 3 min
In this episode, we explore the Danish Conquest of England in the 11th century. The Danish victory brought a temporary end to Anglo-Saxon rule, but it didn’t bring an end to death and taxes. We examine the etymology of words … Continue reading →
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Episode 59: Let’s Make A Deal
11 maart 2015 · 1 uur 6 min
The decline of the Anglo-Saxon Golden Age occurred in the late 900s as the English kingdom passed from King Edgar to his son, Aethelred the Unready. it was a period surrounded by many deals, contracts, bargains and treaties. We examine … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 58: Bibliophiles and Bookworms
18 februari 2015 · 57 min
The late 10th century and early 11th century was the Golden Age of Old English literature. But much of the literature produced during that period was lost to history. Thankfully, a handful of book collectors realized the value of those … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 57: The Wessex Literary Revival
29 januari 2015 · 50 min
After the defeat of the Vikings in York, England was permanently unified under Wessex leadership. A period of peace and prosperity followed. Under the supervision of a cleric named Dunstan, the churches and monasteries were re-built and a great literary … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 56: The Weak vs The Strong
15 januari 2015 · 45 min
Do you say ‘dived’ or ‘dove’? How about ‘shrank’ or ‘shrunk’? And when do you say ‘hanged’ instead of ‘hung’? We’ll explore the answers to these questions in this episode. The answers lie in the history of the English language … Continue reading →
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Episode 55: To Be or Not To Be
30 december 2014 · 55 min
‘To be or not to be?’ That may be the question. But where did the various forms of our modern verb ‘to be’ come from? And what about other Shakespearean phrases like ‘he hath,’ and ‘thou shalt,’ and ‘fear not?’ … Continue reading →
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Episode 54: Pronoun Pros and Cons
13 december 2014 · 56 min
The Modern English pronouns were largely inherited from the Anglo-Saxons. While many of them have survived in tact, others have changed quite a bit over the centuries. Some disappeared, some new ones were created, and some were even borrowed from … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 53: The End of Endings
24 november 2014 · 56 min
In the 10th century, several factors came together in northern England which resulted in the loss of Old English inflectional endings. This was a fundamental change to English grammar which simplified word forms and led to a fixed a word … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 52: Bloody Axes and a Battle Royal
7 november 2014 · 56 min
In the mid-900s, the English king battled a grand alliance of Celtic and Viking leaders at a place called Brunanburh. The result was an Anglo-Saxon victory, and one of the more important poems composed during the Old English period. But … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 51: Norse Words and a New English
24 oktober 2014 · 57 min
During the 10th century, the English language spoken in northern and eastern England began to change under the influence of Old Norse. These changes resulted in a north-south linguistic divide which still exists today. In this episode we examine how … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 50: A Unified Family of English Speakers
9 oktober 2014 · 1 uur 6 min
In the early 10th century, King Alfred’s children and grandchildren conquered the Viking region known as the Danelaw. This brought all of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms under the rule of a single monarch. That monarch was Aethelstan who became the first … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 49: Vikings Among the English and French
17 september 2014 · 1 uur 1 min
Following the death of Alfred, there was a decade of relative peace between the Anglo-Saxons and the Danes. During this period, Scandinavian settlers continued to migrate to the Danelaw. In this episode, we explore the early Scandinavian influence on English … Continue reading → Lees meer