Quiz: How Much Do You Know About British History?
The United Kingdom of Britain, or simply Britain, is a country with some incredibly rich history. Some of the most memorable moments in human history can be traced back to Britain since its inception, all the way up until modern times. It’s a country that has undergone countless changes over the centuries and has left a colorful trail of historical moments. Do you think you know your fair share about British history? Take this quiz to see if you know as much as you think!
Which king defeated the Vikings at the end of the 9th Century?
A. King John
B. King William
C. King Alfred The Great
D. King Eadred
Answer: King Alfred The Great
Alfred the Great was the youngest son of Æthelwulf, King of Wessex. Upon ascending the throne, he spent years fighting off viking invasions before his decisive victory in the Battle of Edington in 878.
Who was the shortest-reigning monarch in British history?
A. William III
B. King John
C. Lady Jane Grey
D. Richard II
Answer: Lady Jane Grey
Lady Jane Grey, also referred to as “the Nine Days Queen,” was an English noblewoman and the Queen of England and Ireland for just nine days between July 10 and July 19, 1553.
Who is the only British Prime Minister to ever be assassinated?
A. Spencer Perceval
B. Harold Wilson
C. William Ewart Gladstone
D. Spencer Compton
Answer: Spencer Perceval
Spencer Perceval served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from October 1809 until his assassination in 1812. He was murdered entering the lobby of the House of Commons where he was shot in the chest.
Under the feudal system, what were the people who worked the land called?
A. Serfs
B. Yeomen
C. Slaves
D. Lames
Answer: Serfs
Under the feudal system, the serfs were agricultural laborers that were bound to work on their lord’s land. In return for their work, they were entitled to protection, justice, and the right to provide for themselves.
Who was the first Prime Minister?
A. Robert Walpole
B. William Gladstone
C. Arthur Wellesley
D. Charles Grey
Answer: Robert Walpole
Known as Sir Robert Walpole between 1725 and 1742 who is regarded as the first Prime Minister of Great Britain. Currently, he holds the record for as the longest-serving British Prime Minister in history.
Who was the target of the Gunpowder Plot?
A. James I
B. Charles II
C. Edward II
D. Richard III
Answer: James I
The Gunpowder Plot occurred in 1605, which was a failed assassination attempt against King James I by a group of English Catholics led by Robert Catesby. The plan was to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament on November 5, 1605.
Which king established the Church of England?
A. Henry VIII
B. Henry VII
C. Edward I
D. James V
Answer: Henry VIII
Henry VIII was the King of England from 1509 until his death in 1547. He was in disagreement with the Pope about the annulment of marriage which led to the English Reformation and the creation of the Church of England.
Which country did Captain Cook “discover” and claim as British territory in 1770?
A. Canada
B. Australia
C. Puerto Rico
D. Iceland
Answer: Australia
In 1770, British explorer Captain Cook landed on the southeast coast of Australia. He named the location Botany Bay and named the whole east coast of Australia as a British colony.
Who is this woman?
A. Boudicca
B. Margaret Thatcher
C. Jane Austen
D. Emmeline Pankhurst
Answer: Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher was the first female Prime Minister, taking up the position in 1979. She served as Prime Minister for 11 consecutive years, becoming one of the most dominant figures in modern politics.
Which year did the Spanish Armada attack England?
A. 1520
B. 1446
C. 1588
D. 1601
Answer: 1588
The Spanish Armada was a Spanish fleet of 130 ships that sailed from Spain in May 1588 with the intention of invading England. The armada was under the command of Duke Medina Sidonia.
Which houses fought in the War of the Roses?
A. Lancaster and York
B. Windsor and Aragon
C. Douglas and Angus
D. Mortimer and Gage
Answer: Lancaster and York
Following the Hundred Year’s War, the War of the Roses were a series of English civil wars fought between the red rose of House Lancaster and the white rose of House York.
When did Ireland secede from the United Kingdom?
A. 1900
B. 1922
C. 1876
D. 1949
Answer: 1922
In 1922, Ireland broke away from the United Kingdom in order to form the Irish Free State. While they were successful, Northern Ireland stayed as a part of the United Kingdom.
How long did the German Blitz of England last in World War II?
A. Eight months
B. Five months
C. One year
D. Two years
Answer: Eight months
The Blitz was a German bombing campaign against the United Kingdom between 1940 and 1941. Although the bombing lasted for eight months, it failed to beat the British into submission.
Which Nobel Prize did Winston Churchill receive?
A. Literature
B. Science
C. Economics
D. Policy
Answer: Literature
One of the 20th century’s most prominent figures, Winston Churchill, was also a skilled writer. In 1953, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature “for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values.”
In which battle was Horatio Nelson fatally wounded?
A. Battle of Hastings
B. Battle of Bosworth Field
C. Battle of Trafalgar
D. Battle of Waterloo
Answer: Battle of Trafalgar
Horatio Nelson was a British flag officer in the Royal Navy, who successfully led several decisive naval victories during the Napoleonic Wars. Although the Battle of Trafalgar was won, he was fatally shot in the process.
How many British monarchs were Emperors/Empresses of India?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 3
D. 7
Answer: 5
In total there were five British monarchs that were Emperors/Empresses of India. They include Victoria, Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, and George VI. These monarchs ruled between 1876 and 1948.
Who was the last king to die in battle?
A. Richard III
B. Edward II
C. Harold I
D. Henry V
Answer: Richard III
Richard III was the King of England and Lord of Ireland from 1483 to 1485. He was killed in the Battle of Bosworth Field, the last decisive battle in the War of the Roses.
Which ancient queen defended Britain from Roman invasion?
![Statue Of [redacted] Thames Embankment London](https://media.tellmebest.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/statue-of-boadicea-thames-embankment-london-94561.jpeg)
A. Boudica
B. Cleopatra
C. Matilda
D. Mary I
Answer: Boudica
When the Romans attempted to invade Britain, Boudica led an uprising against the occupying forces. She died shortly after its failure and is considered to be a British folk hero.
What number of the population of Britain was killed by the Black Plague?
A. A third
B. Half
C. Three quarters
D. A quarter
Answer: A third
The Black Death was a pandemic that reached England in June of 1348. Although it’s hard to know the exact death toll, it’s estimated to have been about one-third of the population.
Who was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch?
A. Elizabeth II
B. George III
C. George IV
D. Victoria
Answer: Elizabeth II
The longest-reigning monarch was Queen Elizabeth II. On top of that, she was also the longest-lived and the longest-serving female head of state. She led a successful and healthy life for 96 years.
