Q 01/05

In legend, how did King Harold die at Hastings?

A) An arrow in the eye

B) A sling stone

C) Drowned in a marsh

D) A javelin throw

Answer · why

A) An arrow in the eye

An arrow in the eye is the traditional story, but other accounts have Harold hacked to pieces by William's men.

Q 02/05

Besides 'the Conqueror', which nickname did William of Normandy sometimes go by?

A) William the Bastard

B) William the Red

C) William the Lion

D) William the Pious

Answer · why

A) William the Bastard

William the Bastard was the son of Duke Robert I's mistress, yet the duke, with no other sons, made him heir, and William inherited Normandy in 1035.

Q 03/05

Who reputedly struck the first Norman blow at Hastings?

A) A minstrel

B) A chaplain

C) A blacksmith

D) A standard-bearer

Answer · why

A) A minstrel

A minstrel, Taillefer, is said to have killed the first Englishman, and later tellings have him charging the English and dying in the attack.

Q 04/05

Whose death in January 1066 set off England's succession crisis?

A) Harthacnut

B) Harold Harefoot

C) Æthelred the Unready

D) Edward the Confessor

Answer · why

D) Edward the Confessor

Edward the Confessor was too ill to attend the consecration of his new Westminster Abbey, and he was buried there the day after he died, the same day ...

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

Tostig is said to have turned down Harold's offer of his old earldom back if he would switch sides, and he died fighting for the Norwegian king.