Q 01/05

On what date was the Battle of Hastings fought?

A) 14 October 1066

B) 25 September 1066

C) 28 September 1066

D) 25 December 1066

Answer · why

A) 14 October 1066

It was a Saturday, and the fighting ran from about 9 am until dusk.

Q 02/05

Which English king led the army defeated at Hastings?

A) Edward the Confessor

B) Harold Godwinson

C) Edgar Ætheling

D) Harthacnut

Answer · why

B) Harold Godwinson

He had been crowned only months earlier after Edward died childless in January.

Q 03/05

Roughly how far from Hastings did the battle actually take place?

A) 20 miles

B) 12 miles

C) 7 miles

D) 30 miles

Answer · why

C) 7 miles

It was fought near the present-day town of Battle in East Sussex.

Q 04/05

Whose death in January 1066 triggered the succession crisis?

A) Harthacnut

B) Harold Harefoot

C) Æthelred the Unready

D) Edward the Confessor

Answer · why

D) Edward the Confessor

He was childless and had spent years in exile in Normandy, where he built Norman ties at court.

Q 05/05

Which of Harold's brothers joined the Norwegian invasion against him?

A) Gyrth

B) Leofwine

C) Sweyn

D) Tostig

Answer · why

D) Tostig

He had raided the south coast earlier in 1066 with a fleet recruited in Flanders.