I Rule the Land: 900 Edition Trivia Quiz

Answer: Edward

Edward the Elder (c. 874-924) ruled as King of the Anglo-Saxons from 899 until his death. During his reign the Anglo-Saxons reconquered the southern portion of the Danelaw. Compared to his father Alfred the Great, Edward is considered to be inferior in book learning, but more successful in military terms. Relatively few primary sources survive from the period of Edward's reign.

Answer: Simeon I

Simeon I (c. 864-927), nicknamed the Great, ruled as Emperor of Bulgaria from 893 until his death. Under his reign, Bulgaria reached its largest territorial extent. During his reign, scholars in Bulgaria worked to spread Slavic culture. His formal assumption of the title of Tsar/Emperor occurred about 912, while previously he had been known as Prince.

Answer: Leo VI

Leo VI (866-912), also known as the Wise, was senior Emperor from 886 to his death, having been appointed co-Emperor by Basil I in 870. During his rule, The Empire lost its foothold in Sicily and failed to regain control of Crete. He greatly diminished the role of Roman institutions such as the Senate and the Consulate in the Byzantine government.

Answer: Olof

It is believed that the semi-legendary king Olof the Brash ruled the Danes in the year 900. The main source of information about him is an 12th century account. He is believed to have been a conqueror from Sweden who took advantage of conflicts Denmark had with the Franks and Anglo-Saxons. His son and grandson, who also ruled Denmark are more fully described in the historical records.

Answer: Louis

Louis the Child (893-911) was the de jure ruler of East Francia from 900 to his death. He was often in poor health and during much of his reign, real power was in the hands of his advisers. His early death led to end of the Carolingian dynasty in East Francia and the Holy Roman Empire and the rise of Ottonian dynasty.

Answer: Harald I

Harold I Fairhair (c. 850- c. 932) ruled Norway from c. 872 to 930. Most of the sources written about Harald are from centuries later, although his son Eric Bloodaxe has been determined to be at least semi-historical. The sagas seem to suggest he unified several smaller realms into one kingdom.

It is suggested that the settlement of Iceland in the ninth and tenth centuries was in part caused by people fleeing Harald's autocratic rule.

Answer: Lestek

Lestek (born 870-880, died 930-940) was Duke of Poland in 900. He is a semi-legendary figure, but the tribes in Poland at the time were known as Lestkowici. He was the second member of the Piast dynasty. Lestek was described as overthrowing the previous corrupt ruler, Prince Popiel.

Answer: Oleg

Oleg of Novogrod was the ruler of the Kievan Rus from about 879 to his death in 912. He is known to have attacked the Byzantine Empire at least once, leading to a trading treaty. He is described as not being a blood relation of either his predecessor, Rurik, or his successor, Igor, but perhaps a brother-in-law of the former.

Answer: Donald II

Donald II, described as "the Madman", was the ruler of the Picts from c. 889 to 900. It is suggested that his nickname may come from attempting to limit the power of the Church or levying high taxes. During his reign, he led the army in fighting off a significant Viking invasion.

Answer: Bjorn Eriksson

Bjorn Eriksson is said to have ruled Sweden from about 882 to 932. Medieval accounts describe him as part of a dynasty that ruled over Sweden--both his father and son are mentioned. Other sources list his lifespan as 868 to 956, suggesting he gave up his throne before his death, whether voluntarily or involuntarily.