* Angles, Saxons, and Jutes: These Germanic tribes invaded Britain around the 5th century AD, bringing their languages with them. This formed the foundation of Old English.
* Vikings: The Vikings invaded and settled in England in the 9th and 10th centuries, bringing their language (Old Norse) which influenced Old English vocabulary.
* Norman Conquest: In 1066, William the Conqueror, a Duke of Normandy, invaded and conquered England. French became the language of the ruling class, influencing English pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.
* Early writers and translators: People like Geoffrey Chaucer (14th century) and William Shakespeare (16th century) helped standardize English and introduce new words and styles.
* The printing press: The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for wider distribution of printed material, leading to greater standardization of English spelling and grammar.
* Colonization and globalization: As the British Empire expanded, English spread across the world, picking up new words and influences from other languages.
So, it's more accurate to say that English evolved through the contributions of many individuals and groups over a long period.