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The Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings (1066)

Study note

The year 1066 is one of the most important dates in British history. In that year William, the Duke of Normandy in what is now northern France, invaded England and met the Saxon king Harold at the Battle of Hastings.

William won the battle, and King Harold was killed in the fighting. With Harold dead, William took the throne and is known to history as William the Conqueror. The conquest was a turning point, because it was the last time a foreign army successfully invaded England. No outside power has managed to conquer England since.

The Norman victory changed the country deeply. A new ruling class took over, and the Norman French spoken by the king and his lords slowly mixed with the language of ordinary people, helping to shape the English we use today. For the test, fix in mind the date 1066, the place Hastings, the loser King Harold, and the winner William of Normandy, later William the Conqueror.

Memory tip: 1066 Hastings: William of Normandy beats King Harold; the last successful invasion of England.

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Question 1 of 6

In which year was the Battle of Hastings fought?

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Show all questions and answers for The Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings (1066)(6 questions with explanations)

The Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings (1066): questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. In which year was the Battle of Hastings fought?

    • 1215
    • 1314
    • 1066
    • 1485

    Correct answer: 1066

    The Battle of Hastings took place in 1066.

  2. 2. Which Saxon king of England was killed at the Battle of Hastings?

    • Alfred
    • Harold
    • Cnut
    • John

    Correct answer: Harold

    King Harold, the Saxon king of England, was killed at the Battle of Hastings.

  3. 3. From where did William, the leader of the 1066 invasion, come?

    • Spain
    • Denmark
    • Normandy (northern France)
    • Scotland

    Correct answer: Normandy (northern France)

    William was Duke of Normandy, in what is now northern France.

  4. 4. After winning at Hastings, by what name did William become known?

    • William the Great
    • William the Conqueror
    • William the Bold
    • William the Confessor

    Correct answer: William the Conqueror

    William became known as William the Conqueror.

  5. 5. The Norman Conquest of 1066 was the last successful foreign invasion of England.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. No foreign power has successfully invaded England since 1066.

  6. 6. Which of these statements is correct?

    • William of Normandy defeated Alfred the Great at the Battle of Hastings in 1066
    • William of Normandy defeated Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066

    Correct answer: William of Normandy defeated Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066

    William defeated King Harold at Hastings in 1066; Alfred the Great lived much earlier.

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