History Quiz on Britain

What did the Romans contribute to Britain?

• Built cities (e.g., London, Bath), roads, sanitation systems, and developed agriculture.

• Introduced democracy and abolished monarchy in Britain.

• Brought tea-drinking and the English breakfast tradition.

• Invented the steam engine during their rule.

Who was Alfred the Great?

• King who defeated Vikings, reformed laws/military, promoted education, rebuilt London.

• A Roman emperor who ruled over all of Britain.

• The leader of the Norman invasion in 1066.

• A Scottish rebel who fought against English rule in the 14th century.

What happened at the Battle of Stamford Bridge (1066)?

• King Harold defeated Viking forces led by Hardrada and Tostig.

• William the Conqueror was crowned king after his victory.

• The Vikings permanently took over England.

• It marked the end of the Hundred Years' War.

What was the Battle of Hastings (1066)?

• Duke William defeated King Harold and became King of England.

• Alfred the Great won against Danish invaders.

• It was a battle between Romans and Celts.

• The French army was defeated by English archers.

What language changes occurred during the Norman period?

• French became the official language; modern English evolved from English, French, Latin.

• English was banned and replaced by Spanish.

• Latin became the common spoken language of peasants.

• The Celtic language replaced all local dialects.

Why was the Magna Carta (1215) important?

• Limited royal power; signed by King John under pressure from noblemen.

• It gave the king absolute power over Parliament.

• It was a peace treaty with France.

• It declared England a republic.

What did King Henry VIII do?

• Married six times; broke from the Catholic Church and created the Church of England.

• Defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.

• Led the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

• Became Pope and ruled both England and the Vatican.

Who was Lady Jane Grey?

• Ruled for 9 days in 1553 before Mary I took the throne.

• She was the first queen to rule for over 60 years.

• She was married to Henry VIII.

• She led the English army against the Spanish Armada.

Who was Elizabeth I?

• Protestant queen; childless; Shakespeare thrived during her reign.

• She was the Catholic daughter of Henry VIII who restored papal rule.

• She married Philip II of Spain and united the crowns.

• She ruled during World War I.

What was the outcome of the American War of Independence?

• The 13 colonies gained independence from Britain by 1782.

• Britain expanded its empire to include Canada.

• The colonies remained under British control until 1901.

• France lost all its American territories to Britain.