A summary of the settlement of the British Isles by Northern Europeans and then Norman French provides the backdrop to this essay which will focus on the period between the early 15th century, when English reasserted its dominance after the decline of official French, until the 17th century, when "standard" English developed. It will be shown that modern English is very different to that first introduced to the British Isles, but by identifying changes over the centuries it is possible to demonstrate continuity. Finally it will be proposed that English today in the world is in a similar position to that which existed before the Norman invasion, when many varieties and dialects existed, as today globally, and that this may lead to its decline as a major language global. , due to growing incomprehensibility. The beginnings of English can be found in the occupation of England starting in the 5th century by tribes from northern and western Germany who brought with them their "native dialects" (Seargeant, P. 2012, p. 1). The Oxford English Dictionary defines English as “of or related to the West Germanic language spoken in England and also used in many varieties throughout the world” (Seargeant, P. 2012, p. 7). The invasion and settlement of the Scandinavians in northern England in the 9th century had a marked effect on the language spoken there. These periods are known as Early and Later Old English respectively (Beal, J. 2012, p. 50). In 886 AD Danelaw was founded defining the area governed by the Danes in the north and east. The Norman invasion of 1066 AD began a two-century period in which French was the official language of England, resulting in the introduction of many words with French or Latin roots, such as 'bar...... middle of paper ......glish in the World), Milton Keynes, The Open University, pp. 151-195.English: A Linguistic Tool Kit, ( 2012), (U214, Worlds of English, DVD ROM), Milton Keynes, The Open University.English in the World, (2012), (U214, Worlds of English, DVD ROM), Milton Keynes, The Open University.Hepworth, MD (2012), Tutorial Notes, '69214339 TMA01', Unpublished work. Leith, D and Seargeant, P. (2012), 'A Colonial Language' in Seargeant, P. and Swann, J. (eds) History, diversity, Change (U214, English in the World), Milton Keynes, The Open University, pp. 101-149.North, S. (2012), 'English a Linguistic Toolkit' (U214, Worlds of English), Milton Keynes, The Open University.Seargeant, P. (2012), 'English in the World Today' in Seargeant , P. and Swann, J (eds) History, Diversity, Change (U214, English in the World), Milton Keynes, The Open University, p.. 5-47.