Here's a quick breakdown:
* Old English (c. 450 - 1150 AD): This is the language of Beowulf and other early English literature. It's heavily influenced by Germanic languages and would be completely unintelligible to modern English speakers.
* Middle English (c. 1150 - 1500 AD): This period sees the influence of Norman French after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The language starts to resemble modern English, but it's still quite different. Think Chaucer's *Canterbury Tales*.
* Modern English (c. 1500 - present): This is the language we speak today, though it continues to evolve. The printing press and the standardization of English grammar played major roles in shaping Modern English.