Anglo-Saxon England: A Comprehensive Guide for History MA Students

Question 1

Which factor did NOT significantly influence the evolution of Anglo-Saxon England?

Accepted Answer

Norman Conquest

Answer

Arrival of the Anglo-Saxons

Answer

Influence of Celtic culture

Answer

Spread of Christianity

Question 2

In the Battle of Maldon, which opposing forces clashed?

Accepted Answer

Anglo-Saxons against Vikings

Answer

Anglo-Saxons against Normans

Answer

Vikings against Normans

Answer

Anglo-Saxons against Picts

Question 3

Which Anglo-Saxon monarch played a pivotal role in the conversion of England to Christianity?

Accepted Answer

Æthelberht

Answer

Athelstan

Answer

Alfred the Great

Answer

Canute

Question 4

What was the primary reason behind the Viking raids on Anglo-Saxon England?

Accepted Answer

Acquisition of wealth and plunder

Answer

Religious conversion

Answer

Expansion of territory

Answer

Formation of political alliances

Question 5

The Anglo-Saxon period is typically divided into which two main phases?

Accepted Answer

Early Anglo-Saxon and Late Anglo-Saxon

Answer

Heptarchic and Viking

Answer

Pre-Christian and Post-Christian

Answer

Mercian and West Saxon

Question 6

Analyze the enduring impacts of Viking invasions on Anglo-Saxon England.

Accepted Answer

Economic decline and trade disruptions

Accepted Answer

Erosion of Anglo-Saxon political power

Accepted Answer

Introduction of novel ideas and technologies

Answer

False: Weakening of the Anglo-Saxon Church

Question 7

What is considered the traditional start date of the Anglo-Saxon period in England?

Accepted Answer

449 AD: The traditional date of the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons

Answer

410 AD: The year of the Roman withdrawal from Britain

Answer

597 AD: The year of the conversion of King Aethelbert of Kent to Christianity

Answer

1066 AD: The year of the Norman Conquest, which marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon era

Question 8

Which Anglo-Saxon king was the first to convert to Christianity?

Accepted Answer

Aethelbert of Kent, the first Christian king of England

Answer

Edwin of Northumbria, who converted after a vision of Saint Paul

Answer

Oswald of Northumbria, who spread Christianity throughout his kingdom

Answer

Cnut the Great, the Danish king who converted to Christianity upon his conquest of England

Question 9

Which Anglo-Saxon ruler is known for his significant role in the unification of England?

Accepted Answer

Alfred the Great, who defended against Viking invasions and implemented legal reforms

Answer

Cnut the Great, who established a North Sea empire and introduced Scandinavian influences

Answer

Harold Godwinson, who was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England before the Norman Conquest

Answer

Edward the Confessor, who is remembered for his religious devotion and piety

Question 10

Which of the following was a significant impact of Viking invasions on Anglo-Saxon England?

Accepted Answer

Weakened central authority

Answer

Increased trade

Answer

Spread of Christianity

Answer

Decline of urban centers

Question 11

Which of the following was an important Anglo-Saxon legal code?

Accepted Answer

Laws of Ine

Answer

Codex Justinianus

Answer

Corpus Juris Civilis

Answer

Institutes of Justinian

Question 12

Which Anglo-Saxon kingdom emerged as the dominant power in England?

Accepted Answer

Wessex

Answer

Northumbria

Answer

Mercia

Answer

East Anglia

Question 13

Who was the first Anglo-Saxon king to embrace Christianity?

Accepted Answer

Aethelbert of Kent

Answer

Edwin of Northumbria

Answer

Penda of Mercia

Answer

Offa of East Anglia

Question 14

Which significant battle in 937 marked the defeat of the Vikings and the establishment of English dominance?

Accepted Answer

Battle of Brunanburh

Answer

Battle of Maldon

Answer

Battle of Hastings

Answer

Battle of Stamford Bridge

Question 15

What was the primary purpose of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle?

Accepted Answer

Historical record-keeping

Answer

Religious teachings

Answer

Legal precedents

Answer

Cultural promotion

Question 16

Which Anglo-Saxon king implemented a system of fortified towns called burhs?

Accepted Answer

Alfred the Great

Answer

Aethelred the Unready

Answer

Cnut the Great

Answer

Edward the Confessor

Question 17

What was the primary role of the Witan in Anglo-Saxon society?

Accepted Answer

Advisory council to the king

Answer

Elected governing body

Answer

Tax collection authority

Answer

Judicial court

Question 18

Which characteristic is distinctive of Anglo-Saxon art?

Accepted Answer

Geometric and intricate designs

Answer

Naturalistic and realistic depictions

Answer

Vibrant colors and gold

Answer

Predominant religious imagery

Question 19

Which legacy of the Norman Conquest significantly impacted England?

Accepted Answer

Introduction of feudalism

Answer

Establishment of the English language

Answer

Growth of urban centers and trade

Answer

Decline of Christianity

Question 20

Which Anglo-Saxon kingdom gained dominance in the 9th century?

Accepted Answer

Wessex

Answer

Northumbria

Answer

Mercia

Question 21

Who was the first Anglo-Saxon king to convert to Christianity?

Accepted Answer

Ethelbert

Answer

Athelstan

Answer

Offa

Question 22

What was the name of the Anglo-Saxon epic poem that recounts the Battle of Maldon?

Accepted Answer

The Battle of Maldon

Answer

Beowulf

Answer

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Question 23

What was the name of the Anglo-Saxon advisory council?

Accepted Answer

The Witan

Answer

The House of Commons

Question 24

Which settlement pattern was typical in Anglo-Saxon England?

Accepted Answer

Hamlets

Answer

Towns

Question 25

What was the primary economic activity in Anglo-Saxon England?

Accepted Answer

Agriculture

Answer

Trade

Question 26

What was the decisive battle in the Norman Conquest of England?

Accepted Answer

The Battle of Hastings

Answer

The Battle of Agincourt