-ves plurals in English

Dear Friends,

     Can anyone explain why and when Engles developed an unusual way of creating plurals?

self      selves (our, them, your)
calf      calves
half      halves
wolf     wolves
sheaf sheaves

    And while the question is being considered, how about

goose     geese
mouse    mice
louse       lice

Best regards, John Piscopo
http://www.johnpiscoposwords.com
PO Box 137
Western Springs, IL 60558-0137
(708)246-7111