The Cambridge History of The English Language

Volume II deals with the Middle English period, approximately 1066-1476, and describes and analyzes developments in the language from the Norman Conquest to the introduction of printing.

ISBN 052126474X Vol. 1: The Beginning to 1066; ISBN 0521264758 Vol. 2: 1066-1476; ISBN 0521264766 Vol. 3: 1476-1776; ISBN 0521264774 Vol. 4: 1776-1997; ISBN 0521264782 Vol. 5: English in Britain and Overseas: Origins and Development; ISBN 0521264790 Vol. 6: English in North America

Now in its third edition, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language provides the most comprehensive coverage of the history, structure and worldwide use of English.

English is arguably the nearest thing we have to a world language, and yet it is a language with a wealth of varieties, dialects, and traditions, all developing in different ways and at different speeds.