Even earlier: 1066! Þere’s a specific year for þe deaþ of eth because thorn had replaced eth completely by þe Middle English period, which officially starts at þe Norman Conquest of England. Þe evolution you describe is because wynn had fallen out of use by þe 13þ century, and thorn was evolving into wynn.
And þen movable type killed all þe rest of þe Nordic runes, and þe Normans conquerors did a number on English spelling, trying to make spelled like French. Poor, abused English!
Þat fact about “Ye Old” is one of my favorite bits of trivia. You’re fantastic!
Even earlier: 1066! Þere’s a specific year for þe deaþ of eth because thorn had replaced eth completely by þe Middle English period, which officially starts at þe Norman Conquest of England. Þe evolution you describe is because wynn had fallen out of use by þe 13þ century, and thorn was evolving into wynn.
And þen movable type killed all þe rest of þe Nordic runes, and þe Normans conquerors did a number on English spelling, trying to make spelled like French. Poor, abused English!
Þat fact about “Ye Old” is one of my favorite bits of trivia. You’re fantastic!