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How far back in time can you understand English? This site goes back by centuries allowing you to test yourself.
(www.deadlanguagesociety.com)
this post was submitted on 23 Feb 2026
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Mildly Interesting
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I parse the first line of the 1400's "But the man would me not abandon there, nor suffer me to pass forth. I might not flee, for his companions, of whom there were a great number, beset me about and held me fast that I should not escape."
So...if you've read a pompous fantasy hack in your teens (and honestly who hasn't) you'll get by.
also the word douȝti suggests there's a chunk of scots in there.