West Saxon

language

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Last updated

July 15, 2026

Quick Summary

West Saxon was a dialect of Old English spoken in England before the Norman Conquest in 1066. It was primarily used in the southern and southwestern regions of England. During the 9th century, under King Alfred the Great, West Saxon became the dominant literary dialect, leading to its designation as "standard Old English". This dialect is the ancestor of Middle English and, subsequently, Modern English.123

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English language
Old English
…thus four dialects: Northumbrian, Mercian, West Saxon, and Kentish. In the 8th century, the Northumbrian speech group led in literature and culture, but that leadership was destroyed by the Viking invaders, who sacked Lindisfarne, an island near the Northumbrian mainland, in 793. They landed in strength in 865. The first…
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…thus four dialects: Northumbrian, Mercian, West Saxon, and Kentish. In the 8th century, the Northumbrian speech group led in literature and culture, but that leadership was destroyed by the Viking invaders, who sacked Lindisfarne, an island near the Northumbrian mainland, in 793. They landed in strength in 865. The first…
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Old English language
…Kentish in southeastern England; and West Saxon in southern and southwestern England. Mercian and Northumbrian are often classed together as the Anglian dialects. Most extant Old English writings are in the West Saxon dialect; the first great period of literary activity occurred during the reign of King Alfred the Great…
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…Kentish in southeastern England; and West Saxon in southern and southwestern England. Mercian and Northumbrian are often classed together as the Anglian dialects. Most extant Old English writings are in the West Saxon dialect; the first great period of literary activity occurred during the reign of King Alfred the Great…
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