Q 01/05

Who is usually counted as the first king to rule the whole of England, from 927?

A) Alfred the Great

B) Edward the Elder

C) Æthelstan

D) Offa of Mercia

Answer · why

C) Æthelstan

Alfred's grandson took York, the last Viking kingdom, and was styled 'King of the English' in a charter of 928.

Q 02/05

Which king is the subject of the legend about burning a peasant woman's cakes?

A) Cnut

B) Alfred the Great

C) Harold Godwinson

D) Edward the Confessor

Answer · why

B) Alfred the Great

Hiding in the Somerset Levels from the Danes, he was supposedly scolded by the woman who had no idea who he was.

Q 03/05

Which Danish king was the first to call himself 'King of England', in 1016?

A) Sweyn Forkbeard

B) Harthacnut

C) Cnut

D) Harald Hardrada

Answer · why

C) Cnut

He is the same king in the famous tale of commanding the tide to halt — which was meant to show his humility, not his arrogance.

Q 04/05

Which king built Westminster Abbey and was buried there the day Harold was crowned?

A) Æthelred the Unready

B) Edward the Confessor

C) Edmund Ironside

D) Harthacnut

Answer · why

B) Edward the Confessor

It was the first Norman Romanesque church in England; his death without an heir triggered the invasions of 1066.

Q 05/05

Weeks before Hastings, Harold Godwinson defeated a Norwegian invasion at which battle?

A) Fulford Gate

B) Maldon Bridge

C) Stamford Bridge

D) Assandun

Answer · why

C) Stamford Bridge

He killed Harald Hardrada and his own brother Tostig there on 25 September, then marched south to meet William.