1.
Who was England's first and only "great" king?
Correct Answer
C. Alfred the Great
Explanation
Alfred the Great expelled the Danes from most of England and established the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
2.
Which Dane became king of England after Alfred's successors' weak leadership?
Correct Answer
A. Cnut the Dane
Explanation
Cnut the Great, became the king of England in 1016 after a period of weak leadership from the successors of Alfred the Great. Cnut, a Danish prince, successfully invaded England and established control over the country, ruling it as part of a North Sea Empire that also included Denmark and Norway. His reign marked the consolidation of Danish influence in England, following years of Viking incursions.
3.
Which Saxon king regained the throne for England but left no heir?
Correct Answer
C. Edward the Confessor
Explanation
Alfred the Great was England's first "great" king; Lothair the Elder was the son of Lois the Pious and ruled the middle Gallic empire after the Treaty of Verdun; and Henry IV brought the Salian monarchy to its height.
4.
Which noble became king for a short time following Edward the Confessor and led England through the Battle of Hastings?
Correct Answer
D. Harold Godwin
Explanation
Harold Godwin became king for a short time following Edward the Confessor and led England through the Battle of Hastings.
5.
Who won the Battle of Hastings?
Correct Answer
B. William the Conqueror
Explanation
William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings. He was the Duke of Normandy and invaded England in 1066. The battle took place on October 14, 1066, and resulted in William's victory over King Harold II of England. William's victory marked the beginning of Norman rule in England and had a significant impact on the country's history and culture.
6.
Which king wrote the Doomsday Book?
Correct Answer
A. William the Conqueror
Explanation
William the Conqueror wrote the Doomsday Book. The Doomsday Book was a comprehensive survey of England's land and property, conducted in 1086. It was commissioned by William the Conqueror to assess the wealth and resources of his newly conquered kingdom. The book provided detailed information on land ownership, value, and agricultural productivity, making it an invaluable resource for taxation and governance. William the Conqueror's involvement in the creation of the Doomsday Book solidifies his reputation as a strong and organized ruler.
7.
Who met the following description: the most important Norman king after William the Conqueror, was William the Conqueror's son, began the Exchequer
Correct Answer
A. Henry I
Explanation
Henry I is the most important Norman king after William the Conqueror because he was his son and succeeded him to the throne. He is also known for establishing the Exchequer, a financial institution that played a crucial role in the administration of England's finances. Therefore, Henry I is the correct answer to the question.
8.
Which line of kings did Henry II begin?
Correct Answer
B. Plantagenet
Explanation
Henry II began the line of kings known as the Plantagenet dynasty. The Plantagenets were a royal house that ruled England from the 12th to the 15th centuries. Henry II became king in 1154 and was the first of the Plantagenet kings. He was known for his strong and centralized rule, as well as his legal reforms. The Plantagenet dynasty played a significant role in shaping medieval England and its history.
9.
Which English king was responsible for the creation of the Church of England after separating from the Roman Catholic Church?
Correct Answer
C. Henry VIII
Explanation
Henry VIII is best known for his role in the establishment of the Church of England. His decision to separate from the Roman Catholic Church came after the Pope refused to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. This led to the English Reformation in the 1530s, during which Henry declared himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England. This act allowed him to annul his marriage and led to significant religious and political changes in England, breaking away from Papal authority and establishing Protestantism in England.
10.
Which English king was forced to sign the Magna Carta in 1215, limiting the power of the monarchy?
Correct Answer
B. John
Explanation
King John of England was forced by rebellious barons to sign the Magna Carta in 1215. The Magna Carta, or "Great Charter," was a landmark document that limited the power of the king and established the principle that everyone, including the monarch, was subject to the law. It granted certain rights to the nobility and laid the foundation for modern legal systems, influencing constitutional law in England and other countries. John's reign was marked by conflict with his barons, leading to the need for such a compromise.
11.
"Longshanks" who called the model parliament
Correct Answer
B. Edward I
Explanation
Edward I, also known as "Longshanks," called the model parliament. He was the King of England from 1272 to 1307 and is known for his efforts to strengthen royal authority. In 1295, Edward I summoned a parliament that included representatives from the clergy, nobility, and commoners, making it a model for future parliaments. This move helped to establish a more inclusive and representative government in England, giving a voice to different sections of society. Edward I's decision to call the model parliament was a significant step towards the development of parliamentary democracy in England.
12.
At the Battle of Bosworth Field, in 1485, Henry VII definitively won the Wars of the Roses for....
Correct Answer
C. Those related to the House of Lancaster
Explanation
At the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, Henry VII won the Wars of the Roses for those related to the House of Lancaster. This means that Henry VII, who belonged to the House of Lancaster, emerged victorious in the battle, securing the throne for his own family. The House of York, which was the rival faction, was defeated, and Henry VII's victory marked the end of the Wars of the Roses.
13.
Who was the first Stuart monarch of England?
Correct Answer
B. James I
Explanation
James I was the first Stuart monarch of England. He ascended to the throne in 1603 after the death of Queen Elizabeth I. James I was previously the King of Scotland and became the first monarch to rule both England and Scotland. His reign was marked by the union of the two kingdoms, as well as religious conflicts and tensions with Parliament. James I is also known for commissioning the translation of the Bible into English, which became known as the King James Version.