The Norman Conquest of 1066
1066 is the single most asked date in British history. It was the last time Britain was successfully invaded.
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What the test asks about this period
Edward the Confessor died at the start of 1066 with no son. Three men claimed the throne. The year that followed decided who got it.
Harold Godwinson was crowned first. He beat a Viking army in the north, then marched south and lost to William of Normandy at Hastings.
If you learn one date for the test, learn this one. Nobody has successfully invaded Britain since.
The year 1066
- Edward the Confessor died in January with no heir.
- Harold Godwinson was crowned King Harold II.
- In September Harold beat a Norwegian army at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. That ended the Viking age in England.
- Days later William, Duke of Normandy, landed in the south.
The Battle of Hastings
- Fought on 14 October 1066, near Hastings in Sussex.
- King Harold II was killed and the English army was beaten.
- William was crowned in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066. He is known as William the Conqueror.
- The Bayeux Tapestry, an embroidery about 70 metres long, tells the story of the conquest.
Test yourself on British history
Thirteen history questions with the answers explained, then a full mock test when you are ready.
British history questionsThe Domesday Book
- William ordered a survey of England in 1086.
- It recorded who owned what land, and how much it was worth.
- It is called the Domesday Book and much of it still survives.
The feudal system
- The king owned all the land and granted it to lords in return for military service.
- Lords granted land to peasants in return for work.
- Most people were peasants who could not leave the land they worked.
- The Normans built castles across the country to hold it, and many cathedrals.
After the conquest
- French became the language of the court, and English slowly absorbed thousands of French words.
- Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in 1170 after falling out with Henry II. He was later made a saint.
- In 1215 King John was forced to accept Magna Carta, which limited royal power.
Practice questions on this period
Here are 4 questions from our bank. The correct answer is marked, and under each one is a short reason.
Question 1. Which English king was defeated at the Battle of Hastings in 1066?
Topic: British History
- King Harold II(correct answer)
- King Richard III
- King Alfred the Great
- King Edward I
Why: King Harold II lost the Battle of Hastings in 1066. William of Normandy became king.
Question 2. Which battle marked the end of the Viking Age in England?
Topic: British History
- Battle of Stamford Bridge(correct answer)
- Battle of Agincourt
- Battle of Hastings
- Battle of Culloden
Why: The Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066 ended the Viking age in England. Harold won it just before he lost at Hastings.
Question 3. What was the feudal system introduced by the Normans after 1066?
Topic: British History
- A new legal system replacing Anglo-Saxon customary law with written Norman codes
- A hierarchical system where the king granted land to lords in exchange for military service, and lords granted land to peasants in exchange for labour(correct answer)
- A church-led system of local government replacing Anglo-Saxon councils
- A trading system linking Norman England with markets across the Mediterranean
Why: Under the feudal system the king gave land to lords, and lords gave land to peasants in return for work.
Question 4. Who was Thomas Becket?
Topic: British History
- A Tudor statesman executed by Henry VIII for opposing the break from Rome
- The Archbishop of Canterbury murdered in 1170 after a dispute with King Henry II, later made a saint(correct answer)
- A medieval scholar who produced the first English translation of the Bible
- A Norman knight who became England's first Chief Justice under Henry I
Why: Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury. He was murdered in 1170 after falling out with Henry II, and later made a saint.
These are not the real exam questions, which are not published. Ours are written from the same official handbook.
Where to go next
- Previous period: The Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings
- Next period: The Tudors and the Stuarts
- All history questions: British History Questions
- The full chapter: British History study guide
- Drill this topic: practice by topic
History is the largest topic in the test. You need 18 out of 24 overall, so it is worth more of your time than any other period.
Common questions
What happened in 1066?
William of Normandy defeated King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October and became King of England. It was the last successful invasion of Britain.
What was the Domesday Book?
A survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror in 1086. It recorded who owned which land and what it was worth.
What was the feudal system?
The king granted land to lords in return for military service, and lords granted land to peasants in return for work on the land.
What is the Bayeux Tapestry?
An embroidery about 70 metres long that tells the story of the Norman Conquest. It is one of the main sources for the Battle of Hastings.
Practise the whole test
24 questions across all six topics, marked against the real pass mark of 18.
Take a free mock test