The Middle Ages — Life in the UK Test practice questions
These practice questions cover The Middle Ages, part of the A long and illustrious history chapter of the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. The correct answer and a clear explanation sit under every question.
Practice questions
Which battle in 1415 is one of the most famous battles of the Hundred Years War?
- Bannockburn
- ✓ Agincourt — Correct answer
- Dunkirk
- Normandy
The Battle of Agincourt took place in 1415 and is one of the most famous battles of the Hundred Years War. Henry V’s English army won despite being vastly outnumbered.
What happened to official documents in England by 1400?
- ✓ They were being written in English — Correct answer
- They were all written in Latin
- They were written only for the royal court
- They were no longer used
By 1400, official documents in England were being written in English. English had also become the preferred language of the royal court and Parliament.
What happened at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314?
- The English defeated the French
- ✓ The Scottish, led by Robert the Bruce, defeated the English — Correct answer
- The English annexed Wales
- The Norman Conquest began
In 1314, the Scottish, led by Robert the Bruce, defeated the English at the Battle of Bannockburn. Scotland remained unconquered by the English.
Which collection of poems by Geoffrey Chaucer was one of the first books printed by William Caxton?
- The Bruce
- The Magna Carta
- ✓ The Canterbury Tales — Correct answer
- The Statute of Rhuddlan
The Canterbury Tales was one of the first books printed by William Caxton. Geoffrey Chaucer wrote these English poems about people travelling to Canterbury on a pilgrimage.
Which work was written by Geoffrey Chaucer?
- The Magna Carta
- The Bruce
- ✓ The Canterbury Tales — Correct answer
- The Blitz spirit
Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales. The collection was one of the first books printed by William Caxton.
Which rose was the symbol of the House of York?
- A white rose inside a red rose
- A red rose
- A red rose inside a white rose
- ✓ A white rose — Correct answer
The House of York used a white rose. The House of Lancaster used a red rose.
What was the name of the charter of rights forced on King John in 1215?
- The Statute of Rhuddlan
- The Pale
- ✓ The Magna Carta — Correct answer
- The Hundred Years War
King John was forced to agree to the Magna Carta in 1215. It showed that even the king was subject to the law.
What area of Ireland was ruled by the English by 1200?
- The Midlands
- The Highlands
- The Home Counties
- ✓ The Pale — Correct answer
By 1200, the English ruled an area of Ireland known as the Pale, around Dublin. Some important lords elsewhere in Ireland accepted the authority of the English king.