A Millennium of British History Quiz

Answer: Stamford Bridge

Following the death of King Edward (the Confessor), his nephew, Harold Godwinson was crowned as his successor. This was disputed by Harald Hardrada of Norway and William of Normandy, who both prepared to invade, one from the north and the other from the south. Harold remained in the south, prepared to repel William, but had to move his army north quickly when York fell to Harald. The Vikings were defeated on 25 September 1066, but William had taken advantage of Harold's absence and Harold, with his army depleted, was killed on October 14th.

Answer: Thomas Becket

Thomas Becket was appointed in 1162 and was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. Although he had been a close friend of the King, Henry II, he opposed Henry's plans to take more power for the State and away from the Church. Becket excommunicated opponents, causing frustration to the King. Believing that they were carrying out their King's wishes, four knights attacked and killed Becket.

He was treated as a martyr by the Church and canonised in 1173 by Pope Alexander III. Thomas Cranmer was Archbishop between 1533 and 1555, William Laud from 1633-1645 and Michael Ramsay from 1961-1974.

Answer: Henry III

Richard I ruled from 1189 to 1199, John from 1199 to 1216 and Stephen from 1135 to 1154. Henry III became King when still a child, and ruled between 1216 and 1272. Edward I was nicknamed 'Longshanks', as he was taller than most men of his time and also 'Hammer of the Scots' due to his brutality in battles, such as Falkirk, against the Scots. To subjugate Wales, he initiated the building of castles, including Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Conwy, the ruins of which can still be seen in the 21st century. Edward I ruled until his death in 1307.

Answer: Wat Tyler

Tyler led a group of protestors from Essex and Kent in a rebellion against a Poll Tax imposed on rich and poor alike. They captured the Tower of London and beheaded the Archbishop of Canterbury, Simon Sudbury, and some of his followers. They also destroyed the Savoy Palace, owned by John of Gaunt, uncle and regent to the King.

A meeting was arranged between King Richard II, aged only fourteen at the time, who promised to review the complaints. However, Tyler was killed during the meeting, the revolt collapsed and the King reneged on his promises.

The other three names belong to claimants to the English throne.

Answer: Establish a printing press in England

Johannes Gutenberg invented a printing press with moveable, metal type in Germany in about 1455. Caxton had settled in Bruges, Belgium, in the 1450s as a mercer, which involved travel to other parts of continental Europe. He saw the printing press in operation, and established a press in Bruges in partnership with a Fleming, before bringing the technology to England on his return to his home country. Oil painting dates from 1420, and Leonardo da Vinci is credited with the first parachute in 1485. Whisky, of course, originates in Scotland from around 1494.

Answer: Thomas Wolsey

Henry VIII reigned from 1509-1547 and estimates of the number of executions during this time range from 57,000 to 72,000. These included two of his wives, Anne Boleyn in 1536 and Catherine Howard in 1542. More and Fisher both met their end in 1535, due to their refusal to recognise Henry as the Supreme Head of the Church of England. Cromwell's downfall came from arranging Henry's marriage to Anne of Cleves, who Henry found physically repulsive, and he was beheaded in 1540. Wolsey was being escorted to London, to face a charge of treason, but fell ill and died en route in 1530, thus avoiding execution.

Answer: Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell was the leader of the 'Roundheads' (Parliamentarians) who fought against the 'Cavaliers' (Royalists) in the English Civil War between 1642 and 1651. While Cromwell was alive, England remained a Commonwealth, but after his death, his son, Richard, lasted only a couple of years.

The Parliamentarians charged King Charles I with treason, and he was executed in 1649. James I, father of Charles I, died in 1625. Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660 and died in 1685.

Answer: Samuel Crompton

Jethro Tull was responsible for improvements in agriculture, and is not part of the Industrial Revolution. Among his inventions was the seed drill, developed in 1701. James Hargreaves brought in the 'Spinning Jenny' in 1764 and Richard Arkwright invented the 'Water Frame' in 1769. Crompton's 'Mule' was a hybrid of the 'Jenny' and 'Frame, hence its name.

These three men were instrumental in the development of the textile industry, which had been home based 'cottage industry' prior to this time.

Answer: Culloden

The Battle of Trafalgar took place in 1805 and saw the British overcome a combined fleet of French and Spanish ships, led by Horatio, Lord Nelson, who lost his life in this battle. The Battle of Waterloo occurred in 1815, when forces led by the Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon, Emperor of France.

The 1854 Battle of Balaclava was less successful, being best remembered for the doomed 'Charge of the Light Brigade'. The Battle of Culloden was in 1746, when the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart were dealt a decisive defeat by the Duke of Cumberland's forces.

Answer: Social Democratic Party

The SDP was formed by the 'Gang of Four', Roy Jenkins, Shirley Williams, David Owen and Bill Rodgers, who were all well known Labour Party politicians. Their view was that the Labour Party had become too militant. In 1988, the party merged with the Liberal Party to form the Liberal Democrats.

The Green Party originated as the Ecology Party in 1973 and still used this name in the 1983 General Election, although by 1987 candidates stood under the Green Party name. The Official Monster Raving Loony Party dates back to 1963, having been founded by the late David (Screaming Lord) Sutch. Plaid Cymru, which campaigns for an independent Wales, dates back to 1925.