General British History Trivia
Question: What was the name of the first steam engine to run between Stockton and Darlington?
Answer: Locomotive
Question: What title did Thomas Becket have?
Answer: Archbishop of Canterbury
Question: In which year did David Lloyd George become Prime Minister?
Answer: 1916
Question: How many people are believed to have died in The Great Fire of London?
Answer: 6
Question: How long did the Hundred Years' War last?
Answer: 116 years
Question: What are the years 1629 to 1640 known as?
Answer: Eleven Years' Tyranny
Question: Religion was at the root of daily life for the Anglo-Saxons. What was the primary religion in England in 1000 A.D.?
Answer: Christianity
Question: At the start of the 15th century, a Welsh nobleman led a revolt against English rule which, due to its guerrilla tactics, almost succeeded. What was his name?
Answer: Owain Glyndwr
Question: What, on Christmas Day 1950, was stolen from Westminster Abbey?
Answer: A stone
Question: During the last quarter of the 17th century, English Protestants began to fear a return to Catholicism. They approached William of Orange to come and take over the throne. What name has been given to this period of British history?
Answer: The Glorious Revolution
Question: In which year (in the 1840s) did a series of revolutions break out in continental Europe, creating much apprehension in Britain?
Answer: 1848
Question: What was the name of the ship commanded by Sir Francis Drake that set sail in 1577 to circumnavigate the globe?
Answer: Golden Hind
Question: In 1637, why was there a riot in the Cathedral of Edinburgh?
Answer: Laud tried to force a new prayer book on the Scots
Question: One of the shortest battles on British soil took place at Prestonpans in Scotland. Approximately how long did it last?
Answer: 30 minutes
Question: During the reign of Queen 'Bloody' Mary, there was an attempt to return England to Catholicism. Three leading Protestants, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, Bishop Nicholas Ridley, and Bishop Hugh Latimer were burned at the stake in which English city?
Answer: Oxford
British Monarchs Trivia
Question: What was the slogan that Wilkes' followers used when he ran for Parliament?
Answer: Wilkes and Liberty!
Question: Who was the English monarch when the 1707 Act of the Union took place?
Answer: Queen Anne
Question: One of the staunchest of Matilda's supporters was her illegitimate half brother. Who was he?
Answer: Robert of Gloucester
Question: What was the name of George I's wife?
Answer: Sophia
Question: What was James I's surname?
Answer: Stuart
Question: Who was the mother of Elizabeth I?
Answer: Anne Boleyn
Question: In 1664 Charles II married Catherine of Braganza. What country did she come from?
Answer: Portugal
Question: How old was Queen Victoria when she became Queen?
Answer: 18
Question: I didn't expect to be King but I stepped into the breach when my elder brother abdicated. Who am I?
Answer: George VI
Question: Which famous person called off their plans for marriage in 1955?
Answer: Princess Margaret
Question: 1066 is remembered for the death of Harold II in the Battle of Hastings. However, Harold had success earlier in the same year by defeating the Vikings in which battle?
Answer: Stamford Bridge
Question: 1658 saw the death of which of these leaders?
Answer: Oliver Cromwell
Question: 1066 is remembered for the death of Harold II in the Battle of Hastings. However, Harold had success earlier in the same year by defeating the Vikings in which battle?
Answer: Stamford Bridge
Question: 1658 saw the death of which of these leaders?
Answer: Oliver Cromwell
Question: What years did Victoria reign?
Answer: 1837-1901
British Events Trivia
Question: Most people think the last invasion of mainland Britain took place in 1066. The French, however, landed a small force in 1797. Where did they land?
Answer: Fishguard
Question: 1215 saw King John sign the 'Magna Carta Libertatum', which both guaranteed to the barons their feudal privileges and promised to maintain the laws of the land. But what does 'Magna Carta Libertatum' translate to in English?
Answer: Great Charter of Freedoms
Question: What tree can you find at Hadrian's Wall?
Answer: The Sycamore Gap Tree
Question: In July of 1653, a group was brought in to help create the Barebones Parliament. How many were there and what were they called?
Answer: 140 Saints
Question: What is the main reason that Elizabeth I ordered Mary's execution?
Answer: She was the head of many plots to overthrow Elizabeth as Queen
Question: Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector during the Commonwealth years. His son, Richard, did not succeed in keeping the position. How is he recalled in history?
Answer: Tumble Down Dick
Question: What was the name of the ship commanded by Sir Francis Drake that set sail in 1577 to circumnavigate the globe?
Answer: Golden Hind
Question: What happened in August 1745, also known as the Forty-five Rebellion?
Answer: Jacobite Risings
Question: In 1605 King James I of England was on the throne. He was also James VI, but of what country?
Answer: Scotland
Question: In 1801, Cardiff had a population of 1,870 and was only the 25th largest town in Wales. By 1841, the population had grown to 82,000 and it was bigger than any other town in Wales. Which industry was responsible for such a huge growth?
Answer: Coal
Question: What organization was founded in June 1905?
Answer: Automobile Association
Question: Which social movement of the 1840s made the English middle classes fear that they were heading towards a revolution on the French model?
Answer: Chartism
Question: In 1961, the inhabitants of which remote island were temporarily evacuated to the UK following a volcanic eruption?
Answer: Tristan da Cunha
Question: After many years of campaigning by anti-slave organizations, the British government finally introduced a bill to begin the abolition of this vile trade. In which year was this bill introduced?
Answer: 1807
Question: What ruling by the House of Lords in September 1901 caused considerable alarm amongst the Trade Unions?
Answer: A trade union could be sued and compelled to pay for damages inflicted by its officials
Famous British Battles Trivia
Question: In March 1461 Edward IV was proclaimed King of England but Henry VI was still alive and in the country. Edward's Yorkist forces beat Henry's Lancastrians in Yorkshire. Where was the battle?
Answer: Towton
Question: When was Oliver Cromwell's successor Richard Cromwell deposed (or allowed to fade away) from his role?
Answer: May 1659
Question: The Hundred Years' War (116 in fact) ended in 1453 with a decisive French victory over the English, but where in France hosted the last battle?
Answer: Castillon
Question: Who was the king, raised in Pembroke, who fought under the banner of the Welsh red dragon?
Answer: Henry VII
Question: 1969 saw the official investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales at which Welsh castle?
Answer: Caernarfon
Question: What is George II?
Answer: The most recent monarch born outside of the UK
Question: 1658 saw the death of which of these leaders?
Answer: Oliver Cromwell
Question: 1066 is remembered for the death of Harold II in the Battle of Hastings. However, Harold had success earlier in the same year by defeating the Vikings in which battle?
Answer: Stamford Bridge
Question: 1658 saw the death of which of these leaders?
Answer: Oliver Cromwell
Question: The Hundred Years' War (116 in fact) ended in 1453 with a decisive French victory over the English, but where in France hosted the last battle?
Answer: Castillon
Question: In 1476, William Caxton was the first man to do what?
Answer: Establish a printing press in England
Question: At the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, which English weapon helped to destroy both William Wallace's army and his reputation?
Answer: Longbow
Question: In 1314 the Scots defeated Edward II's English army at the Battle of Bannockburn. Who led the Scottish army?
Answer: Robert Bruce
Question: What was the name of Oliver Cromwell's army?
Answer: New Model Army
Question: Who led the Jacobite forces in the 1746 battle of Culloden, where they were heavily defeated by King George II's army?
Answer: Charles Edward Stuart
British Royalty Trivia
Question: Who was the King of the English in the year 1000 A.D.?
Answer: Sweyn Forkbeard
Question: Who was King during the revolt led by Wat Tyler?
Answer: Richard II
Question: In what year did Elizabeth I excommunicated by the Pope?
Answer: 1570
Question: Who was Edward VI's father?
Answer: Henry VIII
Question: Who was the first Tudor King?
Answer: Henry VII
Question: Who succeeded Elizabeth I as ruler of England?
Answer: James I
Question: Who was called the Old Pretender?
Answer: James III
Question: Who was the Chancellor of the Exchequer who in September 1949 announces a devaluation of the pound from US$4.03 to US$2.80?
Answer: Stafford Cripps
Question: My reign finally saw the joining of England and Scotland through The Act of Union. Who am I?
Answer: Charles II
Question: When the future Queen Victoria was a young girl she was subjected to a rigorous regime devised by her mother and Sir John Conroy. What was this system called?
Answer: The Kensington System
Question: Which relative did Elizabeth I have executed?
Answer: Mary, Queen of Scots
Question: Who became most closely associated in popular culture with the Gunpowder Plot against James I the Protestant members of Parliament?
Answer: Guy Fawkes
Question: In 1968, Enoch Powell made a speech which became known as the 'Rivers of Blood' speech. What was its subject?
Answer: Immigration
Question: I'm the inspiration for a Swedish pop song. One of the highlights of my reign was the Battle of Trafalgar. Who am I?
Answer: George III
Question: Who was the 1701 Act of Settlement designed to do?
Answer: Secure the Protestant succession to the throne
Question: Why was an outside broadcast from the London Guildhall, on September 22nd, 1955, such an important date in TV history?
Answer: First programme to be transmitted by ITV
Question: In which year did The War of the Roses start?
Answer: 1455
Question: Which Pope sent St Augustine to Kent to convert the Anglo-Saxons?
Answer: Pope Gregory the Great
Question: There were three major battles on British soil in 1066. Hastings was the final one, Stamford Bridge was the second. Where was the first?
Answer: Fulford
Question: What type of catastrophe occurred in October 1966?
Answer: Coal waste slid down a mountainside
Question: In 1284, after the English king had led his armies to defeat Llewelyn ap Gruffudd, the Statute of Rhuddlan declared Wales subject to English law. Who was this English king?
Answer: Edward II
Question: In 1327, the murder of King Edward II was big news, but what was alarming about the murder was that his wife was chiefly responsible. What was her name?
Answer: Isabella
Question: In what year did the civil war begin?
Answer: 1692
Question: Which war was the 1513 Battle of Flodden a part of?
Answer: War of the League of Cambrai
Question: The Anglo-Saxons loved to adorn themselves with trinkets. During this year, what metal was used to make the jewelry worn in England?
Answer: All of these
Question: In July of 1717, the King wanted a concert on the River Thames. George Frederic Handel composed the very famous 'Water Music' for this event. For which king was this music composed?
Answer: George I
Question: In October 1951, it's the Conservatives who win the general elections. Who forms the new government?
Answer: Sir Winston Churchill
Question: 1019 saw which king unite the kingdoms of Denmark and England, six years after King Sweyn defeated Aethelred at London?
Answer: Canute
Question: In October 1908, emergency measures were introduced by the Prime Minister, but for what reasons?
Answer: To reduce unemployment
Question: The last major battle to take place on British soil happened in 1746. It marked the end of the Jacobite rebellion in Scotland. Where did this final battle take place?
Answer: Culloden
Historical British Figures Trivia
Question: Wales holds the distinction of being the only country of the United Kingdom to have a home-grown patron saint. He died in AD 589 and the smallest city in the United Kingdom is named after him. What was his name?
Answer: St David
Question: When did King Stephen's reign begin?
Answer: 1135
Question: What did Nicholas Breakspear do that no other Englishman has done since?
Answer: Become Pope
Question: Who was known as the 'Old Pretender'?
Answer: James III
Question: Who is the Chancellor of the Exchequer who in September 1949 announces a devaluation of the pound from US$4.03 to US$2.80?
Answer: Stafford Cripps
Question: Which relative did Elizabeth I have executed?
Answer: Mary, Queen of Scots
Question: In 1936 a king of England abdicated the throne thus becoming the first English monarch to do so of his own free will. Who was this king?
Answer: Edward VIII
Question: 1141 saw which two people fight for the English throne despite being related?
Answer: Stephen vs. Matilda
Question: 1327 and the murder of King Edward II was big news, but what was alarming about the murder was that his wife was chiefly responsible. What was her name?
Answer: Isabella
Question: Who is the Chancellor of the Exchequer who in September 1949 announces a devaluation of the pound from US$4.03 to US$2.80?
Answer: Stafford Cripps
Question: When the future Queen Victoria was a young girl she was subjected to a rigorous regime devised by her mother and Sir John Conroy. What was this system called?
Answer: The Kensington System
Question: Which relative did Elizabeth I have executed?
Answer: Mary, Queen of Scots
Question: Who became most closely associated in popular culture with the Gunpowder Plot against James I the Protestant members of Parliament?
Answer: Guy Fawkes
Question: In 1968, Enoch Powell made a speech which became known as the 'Rivers of Blood' speech. What was its subject?
Answer: Immigration
Question: Who ruled England between 1653 and 1658?
Answer: Oliver Cromwell
Miscellaneous British History Trivia
Question: What was the most common clothing material in Anglo-Saxon England?
Answer: Wool
Question: Which ship, in 1967, was bombed by the RAF and Fleet Air Arm?
Answer: The Torrey Canyon
Question: In what novel, published in 1848, did Elizabeth Gaskell denounce the miserable living conditions of workers?
Answer: Mary Barton
Question: The Beeching Report of 1963 led to major restructuring of which transport system in the UK?
Answer: Railways
Question: In April 1955 Sir Winston Churchill is replaced by Anthony Eden as Prime Minister of Britain? What was the reason?
Answer: Churchill retired
Question: In what country did Mary, Queen of Scots grow up?
Answer: France
Question: In 1955, which of these people was honored by a full state funeral?
Answer: Winston Churchill
Question: In what year did America go to war against Britain for independence?
Answer: 1755
Question: What were Anglo-Saxon aristocrats called?
Answer: Thegn
Question: In June 1908 a demonstration of over 200,000 people was held at Hyde Park. What was the reason for this demonstration?
Answer: To support the suffragette movement
Question: 1960 saw Penguin Books being tried under obscenity laws for publishing which of these novels?
Answer: Lady Chatterley's Lover
Question: Which country left the Commonwealth in 1949?
Answer: Ireland
Question: What was founded in the reign of Henry VII for the protection of royalty?
Answer: Yeomen Warders
Question: The Anglo-Saxons loved to adorn themselves with trinkets. During this year, what metal was used to make the jewelry worn in England?
Answer: All of these
Question: Who is the Chancellor of the Exchequer who in September 1949 announces a devaluation of the pound from US$4.03 to US$2.80?
Answer: Stafford Cripps