Stanford University
Stanford University: Anglo Saxon & Old English
A selected bibliography for primary and secondary materials, including facsimile texts in Old English, translations into modern English, and scholarship.
Other
Western Michigan University: Richard Rawlinson Center: Anglo Saxon Studies
Learn more about Anglo Saxon studies and research from the Richard Rawlinson Center. The page provides a wide range of links to different medieval resources.
BBC
Bbc: The Route of English
The Routes of English is a series of four six-week features on the development of English as a language, presented on BBC Channel 4 by host Melvyn Bragg. In addition, there are three special programs which deal with the language of the...
Global Catholic Network
Global Catholic Network: Saint Bede Confessor, Doctor of the Church
Biography of St. Bede, followed by the preface to the "Ecclesiastical History of England" and another excerpt in modern English.
Rutgers University
Rutgers University: History of the English Language
This site provides a brief description of the history of the English language.
University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge: An Introduction to Middle English [Doc]
This essay shows how English has changed over the past 1000 years, and introduces students to reading Middle English for themselves.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: Middle English
This article explains how Middle English developed from Old English, changing its grammar, pronunciation, and spelling, and borrowing words from French and Latin.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: Language and Voice
From the development of Old and Middle English to the innovations of William Caxton and the printing press: explore language and voice in the medieval period.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: Beowulf
Read an overview of the Old English poem "Beowulf" and view additional resources such as articles and collection items.
Harvard University
The Harvard Chaucer Page: The Great Vowel Shift
This site from The Geoffrey Chaucer Page provides examples showing the difference between Chaucer's language and our own. The name of the site is the Great Vowel Shift and the text provided is medium in length, with several examples...
Society of Archbishop Justus
Alcuin, Deacon, Scholar, and Abbot of Tours
A biographical note for the feast day of St. Alcuin, the 8th century English churchman behind the Carolingian renaissance. He is credited with the invention of cursive script.
Other
Bede the Venerable, Priest, Monk, & Scholar
This site provides a moderate-length biography, one of Bede's hymns, and a related prayer in traditional and modern language.
Other
Beowulf: An Adaptation From the Old English Version
Enjoy this contemporary English translation of the epic Old English poem Beowulf, which can be read in conjunction with the original for better comprehension.
Other
Leicester University: Alcuin and Bede: An Introduction
Surveys the life and work of two 8th century English monks whose scholarship and writings preserved learning during the European Dark Ages.
Other
Fl International University: History of English Language
This resource presents a brief history of the English language provided by an amateur historian of English and librarian.
My Hero Project
My Hero: Beowulf
Use this resource to learn why Beowulf, of epic poetry fame, is viewed as a heroic character.
Other
The Battle of Maldon
This site offers a short sample of the original Old English, with a modern English paraphrase.