Lesson 4

4 The Norman invasion Quiz: Pearson Edexcel History, Unit 5

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

In partnership with Revision Ninja

Lesson 4, The Norman invasion: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel GCSE History (1HI0), Unit 5: Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88, written with Revision Ninja.

Host it live on the board and students join with a game code on their own devices, or revise alone with Free Play. The answers are revealed in the game.

Host this setFree Play

The 20 questions

  1. On what date was the Battle of Hastings fought?

    • 5 January 1066
    • 20 September 1066
    • 25 September 1066
    • 14 October 1066

  2. What happened to King Harold at the Battle of Hastings?

    • He surrendered
    • He was killed
    • He fled north
    • He was captured

  3. Which defensive formation did the English army use at Hastings?

    • Shield wall
    • Testudo formation
    • Cavalry wedge
    • Square formation

  4. Which troop types gave the Normans a notable advantage at Hastings?

    • Knights and archers
    • Spearmen and berserkers
    • Pikemen and monks
    • Chariots and slingers

  5. Which Norman tactic drew English troops out of their defensive position?

    • Night attacks
    • Flanking marches
    • Siege engines
    • Feigned retreats

  6. What was the physical condition of Harold's army before Hastings?

    • Well rested
    • Exhausted
    • Freshly reinforced
    • Fully resupplied

  7. What major event directly followed William's victory at Hastings?

    • Treaty of York
    • Danish invasion
    • His coronation
    • Peasants' revolt

  8. What made up the majority of the English army at Hastings?

    • Mounted knights
    • Foreign archers
    • The fyrd
    • Viking mercenaries

  9. Which event left the English army tired before the Battle of Hastings?

    • Stamford Bridge
    • The March south
    • Gate Fulford
    • The Channel crossing

  10. Which tactical advantage did William hold over Harold at Hastings?

    • Better armour
    • Naval supremacy
    • Superior numbers
    • Cavalry and archers

  11. Which Norman tactic was used to break the English shield wall?

    • Siege engines
    • Night attacks
    • Flaming arrows
    • Feigned retreats

  12. Which primary sources provide our main estimates for army sizes at Hastings?

    • Tax records
    • Royal charters
    • Contemporary chronicles
    • Papal bulls

  13. What was a major disadvantage for English troops fighting at Hastings?

    • Lacking weapons
    • Poor leadership
    • Fighting on foot
    • No body armour

  14. What was the immediate effect of King Harold's death at Hastings?

    • Leadership collapsed
    • Strategic retreat
    • Immediate victory
    • Instant surrender

  15. Where was William crowned King of England in December 1066?

    • Westminster Abbey
    • St Paul's
    • Canterbury Cathedral
    • Winchester Cathedral

  16. How do historians generally explain William's victory at Hastings?

    • Pure luck
    • Combined factors
    • English treason
    • Superior numbers

  17. Why do historians debate the reasons for the English defeat at Hastings?

    • No archaeological finds
    • Destroyed weapons
    • Limited sources
    • Lost battlefields

  18. Why was the English army fatigued before fighting at Hastings?

    • Poor rations
    • Recent rapid marching
    • Long sea voyage
    • Night training

  19. Which combat unit was central to the Norman military advantage?

    • Pikemen
    • Slingers
    • Cavalry
    • Charioteers

  20. What was a major long-term consequence of the Norman conquest?

    • Celtic revival
    • Abolition of monarchy
    • Democratic reforms
    • Feudal land redistribution

All Pearson Edexcel History quizzes