Lesson Y7-U02-L08

Two Invasions, One King Quiz: KS3 History, Unit 2

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson Y7-U02-L08, Two Invasions, One King: 20 multiple choice questions for the KS3 History (National Curriculum), Unit 2: Year 7: Battle of Hastings, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Why did King Harold disband the English fyrd on 8 September 1066?

    • Won the war
    • Supplies ran out
    • Fyrd mutinied
    • Winter arrived

  2. Which two northern earls were defeated by the Vikings at Gate Fulford?

    • Hardrada and Edgar
    • Edwin and Morcar
    • Harold and Tostig
    • William and Edward

  3. On what date did Harold win the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

    • 28 September 1066
    • 25 September 1066
    • 14 October 1066
    • 20 September 1066

  4. Which two enemy leaders were killed at the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

    • William and Pope
    • William and Tostig
    • Hardrada and Tostig
    • Edgar and Hardrada

  5. Roughly how far did Harold's army march north to reach Stamford Bridge?

    • 500 miles
    • 10 miles
    • 50 miles
    • 185 miles

  6. On what date did William land at Pevensey?

    • 25 September 1066
    • 14 October 1066
    • 8 September 1066
    • 28 September 1066

  7. Why was William's landing at Pevensey particularly dangerous for King Harold?

    • Navy was destroyed
    • Winter had arrived
    • Troops were exhausted
    • London was burning

  8. What was the correct chronological order of major battles in autumn 1066?

    • Hastings then Gate Fulford
    • Stamford Bridge then Hastings
    • Hastings then Stamford Bridge
    • Pevensey then Stamford Bridge

  9. Why did a sudden change in wind direction matter in September 1066?

    • Destroyed the English fleet
    • Blew down castles
    • Prevented Viking ships
    • Allowed William's crossing

  10. What was the main advantage of Harold's fast march north?

    • Rested the soldiers
    • Surprised the Vikings
    • Secured Norman gold
    • Gathered fresh troops

  11. What was the main disadvantage of Harold's rapid march north?

    • Lost many horses
    • Exhausted his troops
    • angered the Pope
    • Depleted the treasury

  12. Why did King Harold rush south in October 1066?

    • To collect taxes
    • To meet the Pope
    • Winter was starting
    • William was ravaging land

  13. Which early 1066 event was most positive for Harold Godwinson?

    • Crowned king
    • Signed treaty
    • Married Matilda
    • Defeated at Hastings

  14. Who was killed by Harold's forces at Stamford Bridge?

    • William and Odo
    • Hardrada and Tostig
    • Edward and Edgar
    • Stigand and Tostig

  15. What major military dilemma did Harold face in summer 1066?

    • Lacking any weapons
    • Guarding two fronts
    • Having no ships
    • Facing civil war

  16. Which direction did the threat from Hardrada come from?

    • The west
    • The east
    • The north
    • The south

  17. From which direction did William's invasion fleet approach England?

    • The west
    • The south
    • The east
    • The north

  18. Why might Stamford Bridge be described as a hollow victory for Harold?

    • It caused a civil war
    • No treasure was won
    • The Vikings escaped
    • Left army exhausted

  19. Why did King Harold disband his army in September 1066?

    • Crops needed harvesting
    • Winter was approaching
    • The Pope intervened
    • Supplies ran out

  20. In which region did Hardrada and Tostig invade England?

    • Kent
    • Wessex
    • Sussex
    • Yorkshire

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