Perhaps the title question should be amplified to Why is E the most frequently occurring letter. And I also failed to acknowledge the incisive commetary of both Svalbard and Sh3rl0ck. Why is 5 seen as the number of change in your eyes Svalbard (I am interested to know the answer not questioning your logic in any way)? In the alphanumeric transposition to numeric pattern system employed by the site we see 5 as the number of balance between the 1 and the 9. However, in a way the power of 5 is trebled as while E equates to 5 in its lowest resolution, so too do N = 14 as 1+4 = 5 and W 23 as 2 + 3 = 5. In respect of balance effect pattern the most powerful instance is the archaic word WEEN meaning:
be of the opinion; think or suppose. usage example,
"he, I ween, is no sacred personage"
Although Svalbard, there is no stronger example set of words to underwrite your view, than the quote from renowned Scottish poet Robert Burns,
“Look abroad through Nature’s range, Nature’s mighty law is change.”
Nonetheless, I would like to embroider my age argument for before the Phoenicians there were the Minoans who also had an alphabet.
Linear A was a writing system utilised by the Minoans (Cretans) from 2500 to 1450 BC. Along with Cretan hieroglyphic, it is one of two undeciphered writing systems used by the ancient Minoan and peripheral peoples. Linear A was the primary script used in palace and religious writings of the Minoan civilisation.
Child systems: Linear B, Cypro-Minoan syllabary (an undeciphered writing system used on the island of Cyprus during the late Bronze Age (ca. 1550–1050 BC) found on numerous artefacts: tablets cylinders, votive stands etc.
Languages: 'Minoan' (unknown)
Sister systems: Cretan hieroglyphs
There are many similar sounding letter sounds in this alphabet as well as the Ee shape itself especially if the letter i sounds were pronounced the same way.
And below are some highly pertinent links and tables highlighted by site founder, concept and content architect David Denison
"The most common letter in the English alphabet is E."
http://www.973-eht-namuh-973.com/Alchem ... 201%20.htm
http://www.973-eht-namuh-973.com/Alchem ... 204%20.htm