The History of English Podcast

Kevin Stroud
  • 4.8 (578)
  • HISTORY
The History of English Podcast

A chronological history of the English language examined through the lens of historical events that shaped the development and spread of the language from the Eurasian steppe to the entire world.

  1. SEPT 24

    Episode 179: Defining Moments

    In the early 1600s, several landmark events shaped the history of England and determined how and where the English language would be spoken in the centuries that followed. The period from 1602-1605 saw the end of the Elizabethan era, the … Continue reading →

    1h 26m

  2. AUG 7

    Episode 178: Much Ado About Hamlet

    In the first couple of years of the 1600s, several new Shakespeare plays appeared. ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and ‘As You Like It’ were recorded in the Stationer’s Register, and a third play called ‘The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of … Continue reading →

    1h 17m

  3. JUN 26

    Episode 177: Dressed for Success

    In this episode, we look at clothing and fashion in the Elizabethan era, and we examine the connection between clothing, custom and language. We also examine Shakespeare’s plays about the lives of Julius Caesar and Henry V of England. Along … Continue reading →

    1h 25m

  4. MAY 9

    Episode 176: All the World’s a Playhouse

    Theaters were an important part of cultural life in Elizabethan England, and they contributed many words to the English language. Those words joined thousands of other words that were pouring into English from around the world. In this episode, we … Continue reading →

    1h 20m

  5. MAR 25

    Episode 175: The English of Romeo and Juliet

    Romeo and Juliet is one of William Shakespeare’s most popular plays and one of the most popular plays ever written. In this episode, we examine the language of the play to see how it reflects the English of Elizabethan England, … Continue reading →

    1h 33m

  6. FEB 8

    Episode 174: Speak and Spell

    English spelling largely reflects the state of the language in the late 1500s. In this episode, we look at one of the first English spelling books, and we explore several plays by William Shakespeare to examine the way he rhymed … Continue reading →

    1h 29m

  7. JAN 2

    Episode 173: Fooling Around

    In this episode, we look at the development of English comedy in the early modern era. We examine some of William Shakespeare’s early comedies, and we also distinguish Shakespearean comedy from other types of comedic performances which had been popular … Continue reading →

    1h 25m

  8. 2023-11-20

    Episode 172: Succession

    In this episode, we explore the concept of a successful succession. During the early 1590s, France was divided by a bitter conflict over the succession of Henry of Navarre to the French throne. Meanwhile, William Shakespeare wrote a couple of … Continue reading →

    1h 35m
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A chronological history of the English language examined through the lens of historical events that shaped the development and spread of the language from the Eurasian steppe to the entire world.

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