Lesson Y7-U03-L04

The Harrying of the North, 1069-70 Quiz: KS3 History, Unit 3

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson Y7-U03-L04, The Harrying of the North, 1069-70: 20 multiple choice questions for the KS3 History (National Curriculum), Unit 3: Year 7: Norman England, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. In which year did the north of England rise in open revolt against William?

    • 1069
    • 1085
    • 1066
    • 1070

  2. Which English region proved especially difficult for William to control?

    • The West Country
    • The north
    • East Anglia
    • The home counties

  3. Who was the Norman earl killed by rebels at Durham in 1069?

    • Edgar the Aetheling
    • William of Poitiers
    • Harold Godwinson
    • Robert Cumin

  4. Who did northern rebels join forces with after killing Robert Cumin?

    • Welsh archers
    • Scottish knights
    • Danish army
    • French mercenaries

  5. What military tactic defined the 'Harrying of the North'?

    • Peaceful negotiation
    • Building cathedrals
    • Naval blockade
    • Deliberate total destruction

  6. Why did William the Conqueror pay the Danish fleet to leave?

    • Bribed them away
    • Ran out of money
    • Signed a treaty
    • Lost a battle

  7. What military tactic was used during the Harrying of the North?

    • Blitzkrieg
    • Siege warfare
    • Scorched earth
    • Trench warfare

  8. What was the main reason William destroyed the north in 1069-70?

    • Finding hidden treasure
    • Punishing the Church
    • Preventing further rebellions
    • Clearing land for castles

  9. During which winter did the Harrying of the North take place?

    • 1072 to 1073
    • 1069 to 1070
    • 1066 to 1067
    • 1086 to 1087

  10. What major crisis followed the Harrying of the North?

    • A civil war
    • A massive plague
    • Economic inflation
    • Severe famine

  11. How did some northern survivors escape starvation?

    • Becoming wealthy
    • Joining the army
    • Fleeing to France
    • Selling into slavery

  12. Why do historians doubt medieval chroniclers' death toll figures for the Harrying?

    • Farms hid numbers
    • Spies lied
    • They were exaggerated
    • Records were lost

  13. Which group suffered the most during the Harrying?

    • Norman barons
    • King William
    • Viking invaders
    • Ordinary peasants

  14. What caused more deaths than direct combat in the north?

    • Starvation
    • Wild animals
    • Execution
    • Cold weather

  15. How long did the destructive effects of the Harrying last?

    • A single century
    • A few weeks
    • Several years
    • Only one month

  16. Why was winning the Battle of Hastings not enough for William?

    • The king escaped
    • The army mutinied
    • The north resisted
    • London was untouched

  17. How is the Harrying of the North best described?

    • Open battle
    • Deliberate destruction
    • Peace treaty
    • Accidental fire

  18. Which foreign group allied with northern rebels against William?

    • Danes
    • French
    • Scots
    • Welsh

  19. What primary evidence best shows the brutality of the Harrying?

    • Signed treaties
    • Broken castles
    • Widespread famine
    • Stolen crowns

  20. What does the Harrying reveal about Norman control?

    • Democratic voting
    • Brutal force used
    • Economic alliances
    • Peaceful persuasion

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