[LINK] DNA Coil

[Adam Todd]

At 10:55 AM 5/10/2006, Robert Hart wrote:
>Ivan Trundle wrote:
>>A bit difficult, if only because Shakespeare was THE master of this art, 
>>at a time when English was not spoken (or written) that widely in 
>>England. Shakespeare's contribution to the language was significant, if 
>>only because he saw fit to use words in ways which most other writers of 
>>his day would not have dreamt of. Chaucer, Keats et al were never as 
>>adventurous.
>What?
>
>If English was not spoken that widely in England at the time of 
>Shakespeare, pray tell me what was the most common language spoken?

Old English and most people were illiterate.  (And sadly still are!)

That's why they had Town Cryers who'd come out with the scroll and read it 
to the peasants.