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Giant Great Britain Millennium Quiz

Can you identify the answer to each of these questions about the history of Great Britain or the individual kingdoms of England, Scotland and Wales which existed prior to 1707. There is one question per decade of the second millennium, AD 1000-1999.
Quiz by Berney
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Last updated: April 27, 2023
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First submittedApril 8, 2019
Times taken16,895
Average score47.0%
Rating4.82
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Year
Hint
Answer
1997
This territory is handed back to China, ending more than 150 years of British rule.
Hong Kong
1980
One of the "fab four", this person is murdered in New York City.
John Lennon
1971
Decimalised currency is introduced. The Five "New Pence" coin
replaces this old denomination.
Shilling
1966
England wins this international footballing competition.
FIFA World Cup
1958
This very long running BBC children's TV programme is broadcast for the first time.
Blue Peter
1948
This institution for the provision of medical care is formed.
National Health
Service
1939
The first German aircraft to be shot down in WW2 is a victim of a clash
with two squadrons of this legendary fighter aircraft.
Supermarine
Spitfire
1926
This inventor holds the first public demonstration of his mechanical television system.
John Logie Baird
1916
Admiral Sir John Jellicoe commands the British Grand fleet in this major naval battle.
Battle of Jutland
1905
Emmeline Pankhurst leads the first public protest of this "Votes for Women" movement.
Suffrage
1894
This iconic river-crossing over the Thames is opened for traffic.
Tower Bridge
1886
This man becomes Prime Minister for the third time.
William Gladstone
1877
The All England Club, based in this London district, holds its first annual tennis tournament.
Wimbledon
1865
"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", by this author, is published for the first time.
Lewis Carroll
1859
This book, considered the foundation of evolutionary biology, is first published.
On the Origin of
Species
1840
The Penny Black is issued, the world's first example of this item to be
used in public circulation.
Postage Stamp
1837
The long reign of this Queen begins.
Victoria
1822
This mathematician and inventor publishes a proposal for a "difference engine",
a forerunner of the modern computer.
Charles Babbage
1818
This novel, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, is published for the first time (anonymously).
Frankenstein
1805
Admiral Horatio Nelson defeats the French in this decisive naval battle.
Battle of Trafalgar
1796
This scientist inoculates an eight-year-old boy with cowpox as part of his pioneering
work to prove the viability of a vaccine for smallpox.
Edward Jenner
1787
The First Fleet leaves Portsmouth with a consignment of convicts headed
for this far away country.
Australia
1776
James Watt introduces the first practical version of this Industrial Revolution invention.
Steam engine
1768
This explorer departs Britain on HMS Endeavour on his first voyage of discovery.
James Cook
1755
This writer and lexicographer publishes his "Dictionary of the English Language".
Samuel Johnson
1746
This woman helps Bonnie Prince Charlie escape to France after he is beaten at the
Battle of Culloden, the final confrontation of the Jacobite Rising.
Flora MacDonald
1739
This future Methodist leader preaches in the open air for the first time.
John Wesley
1721
This man becomes First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer, making
him effectively the first "Prime Minister" of Great Britain.
Sir Robert Walpole
1718
This world famous cabinet maker is born.
Thomas Chippendale
1707
These two Parliamentary Acts are passed to establish the single Kingdom of Great Britain.
Acts of Union
1696
This tax is introduced which imposed a charge based on the number of a specific
architectural item included in a property.
Window Tax
1681
This Londoner receives a royal charter to establish a colony in the Americas.
He would later have U.S. state named after him.
William Penn
1676
This building by Christopher Wren is commissioned in Greenwich Park
on the Prime Meridian.
The Royal
Observatory
1666
The Great Fire of London starts at a bakery on this street.
Pudding Lane
1653
This leader becomes "Lord Protector" of England.
Oliver Cromwell
1645
Parliamentarians found this military unit during the English Civil War.
New Model Army
1633
This future naval secretary is born. He would become famous for his diary which
chronicled events such as the Great Fire of London.
Samuel Pepys
1620
This ship leaves Plymouth carrying the Pilgrims to Cape Cod in North America.
Mayflower
1612
Ten people in Pendle Hill are hanged after being convicted of this crime.
Witchcraft
1605
Guy Fawkes and others fail in this attempt to blow up Parliament.
Gunpowder Plot
1599
This theatre, associated with the performance of Shakespeare plays, is built in London.
Globe Theatre
1588
This Spanish fleet is scattered during a failed attempt to invade England.
Spanish Armada
1577
This captain embarks on a circumnavigation of the globe aboard the Pelican
- later renamed the Golden Hind.
Sir Francis Drake
1567
This woman is forced to abdicate the Scottish throne.
Mary, Queen of Scots
1553
This woman uses the title of Queen for nine days before being imprisoned and killed.
Lady Jane Grey
1542
This lady, the 5th wife of King Henry VIII, is beheaded at the age of 19.
Catherine Howard
1536
William Tyndale is executed for translating this book into English.
The Bible
1529
This stately residence is given to King Henry VIII by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.
Hampton Court
Palace
1516
This book, depicting a fictional island society, is written by Sir Thomas More.
Utopia
1502
This prince dies, making the future Henry VIII heir to the throne.
Arthur, Prince
of Wales
1497
Italian-born explorer, John Cabot, explores the coast of this country and claims it for England.
Canada
1485
The Battle of Bosworth Field is fought, the last major conflict in this series of civil wars.
Wars of the Roses
1476
The first printing press in England is set up at Westminster by this English merchant.
William Caxton
1461
This town's strategic position on the Anglo-Scottish border leads to it being ceded
back to Scotland by Margaret of Anjou.
Berwick-upon-Tweed
1453
This long war between England and France comes to an end.
Hundred Years' War
1440
This prestigious public independent boarding school is founded by King Henry VI.
Eton
1439
This town in the south-west of England becomes the first to be incorporated by Parliament.
Plymouth
1424
This new King of Scotland is crowned at Scone Abbey.
James I
1415
King Henry V's army defeats a large French force in this battle during a long running war.
Battle of Agincourt
1408
The Great East Window, the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world,
is finally completed in this cathedral in the north of England.
York Minster
1399
King Richard II becomes the first English Monarch to undergo this process
when he renounces the throne.
Abdication
1387
Geoffrey Chaucer begins writing this epic work, a collection of 24 stories.
The Canterbury Tales
1373
England signs an alliance with this seafaring nation. It is believed to be oldest
alliance still in force today.
Portugal
1362
The first version of "Piers Plowman" appears. It is the first written mention of this folk hero.
Robin Hood
1351
To determine the ruler of Brittany, England and France stage this tournament between
hand-picked knights. Although a fight to the death, it had breaks for refreshments.
Combat of the
Thirty
1348
This pandemic arrives in England for the first time.
Black Death
1337
Edward, son of King Edward III, and known by this nickname,
becomes the first English Duke.
Black Prince
1327
King Edward II is murdered while in captivity at this castle in Gloucestershire.
Berkeley
1314
Robert the Bruce defeats Edward II at this battle for Scottish independence.
Bannockburn
1306
According to legend, Robert the Bruce is inspired to persevere with his fight against
the English after watching this creature struggle and eventually overcome.
Spider
1297
The forces of Andrew Moray and this Scottish leader defeat the English
at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
William Wallace
1283
Edward I completes the English conquest of this region.
Wales
1279
Coin production is unified into a single system forming the origins of this institution.
Royal Mint
1267
This English philosopher completes his most important work, "Opus Majus".
Roger Bacon
1259
King Henry III makes peace with this Welsh leader, who claims the title "Prince of Wales".
Llewelyn the Last
1240
This important cathedral, in its 4th incarnation, is completed and consecrated.
St. Paul's
1236
The future king Edward I is born. He would later earn this nickname.
Longshanks
1220
King Henry III begins major improvements to this fortification in the English capital.
Tower of London
1215
This "Great Charter" is signed by King John.
Magna Carta
1204
This lady, the Duchess of Aquitaine and the widow of King Henry II, dies.
Eleanor
1199
Richard I dies after a lifetime of crusading. His warrior reputation earned him this nickname.
Lionheart
1188
The chronicle "Flores Historiarum" commences. It would be the first to tell the legend
of this woman, who rode naked through the streets of Coventry.
Lady Godiva
1170
This Archbishop of Canterbury is assassinated.
Thomas Becket
1168
Work begins on a major reconstruction of this important castle on the Kent coast.
Dover
1154
This dynasty comes to power in England with the coronation of Henry II.
House of
Plantagenet
1145
This abbey in Bedfordshire, now most associated with a safari park, is established.
Woburn
1135
This period of civil war and chaos in England begins.
The Anarchy
1126
This office, responsible for the finances of the Kingdom of England, is formed.
HM Treasury
1110
This Berkshire castle becomes a Royal residence for the first time.
Windsor Castle
1100
King Henry I of England marries this sister of Edgar, King of the Scots.
Matilda
1096
The first lectures are held at this university, the oldest in Britain.
Oxford
1086
This "Great Survey" of England and parts of Wales is completed.
Domesday Book
1077
This tapestry, made to celebrate the Norman conquest, is believed to have been completed.
Bayeux Tapestry
1066
King Harold Godwinson is killed by the Normans at this battle.
Battle of Hastings
1056
The future King William II is born and given this nickname due to his red hair.
Rufus
1040
Later immortalised in a play by Shakespeare, this person becomes King of Scotland.
Macbeth
1035
This great Danish and English king dies in Shaftesbury. According to legend,
he tried to hold back the tide.
Cnut
1028
This future conqueror of England is born in Falaise in Normandy.
William I
1018
A large Danegeld "tribute" is paid by the king to stop further invasions from these raiders.
The Vikings
1003
Destined to be the last king of the House of Wessex, this future "Confessor" is born.
Edward
sumguy
+1
Level 84
Apr 8, 2019
1236 is missing the D in Edward.
Berney
+2
Level 80
Apr 9, 2019
Fixed, but may take a little time to be resubmitted.
JackBeNimble
+1
Level 80
Apr 8, 2019
I really enjoyed that! There are a few typos, etc in the clues, though. Nothing that I felt affected their intelligibility, but I know you'll want to fix them. I could not remember how to spell Berwick! I could even picture the town... One of the best quizzes I've taken in ages.
ruftytufty
+2
Level 79
Apr 9, 2019
I enjoyed it and thank you - but it's really a Giant Quiz About England with a few Scottish, one Welsh and no Northern Irish questions.
Berney
+5
Level 80
Apr 9, 2019
Thanks. As per the subtitle, it's a quiz about what now constitutes Great Britain (rather than the United Kingdom) so it relates to England, Scotland and Wales. It also seems to be much harder to find as many documented facts for the early history of Scotland and Wales though I did look for more of them.
ljhb48
+3
Level 44
Jan 18, 2021
If you're curious as to why, when Scotland was occuppied by Edward I in the late 13th century, the English seized all the Scottish documents relating to royalty and the rule of the country, so it would be much harder for any potential claimants of Scotland to have legitimacy. Unfortunately, the ship carrying these documents sank, and with that we lost most of the primary sources of pre-14th century Scottish history.
mrnafe
+2
Level 82
Apr 9, 2019
That must've taken ages, thanks for your efforts and an awesome job. Really enjoyed that.
samiamco
+2
Level 69
Apr 9, 2019
Great quiz! I like the nice wide net you cast over the time period. (Minor quibble: Accept "St Paul" for St. Paul's?)
iuvas
+1
Level 94
Apr 9, 2019
very nice quiz, great work!

actually, according to wikipedia, the combat of the thirty happened in 1351 (i never heard of it so i went looking... that's why i like these quizzes so much, by the way).

maybe i found a wrong date or maybe wikipedia is wrong (would not be the first time).

but if i'm correct, you may want to change the date.

Quizmaster
+1
Level ∞
Apr 9, 2019
Sorry, that was my fault. Now fixed.
Freestatebear
+1
Level 85
Apr 9, 2019
1424: Seems like the question should read "This new king..." rather than "The new king..."
Berney
+2
Level 80
Apr 9, 2019
Thanks, changed, awaiting re-approval.
oxfordian
+1
Level 71
Apr 9, 2019
Great quiz with a good spread of questions.
Coyuznik
+3
Level 83
Apr 11, 2019
I first answered "Lord Flashheart" but then saw the year was 1939, but Flashheart was an ace pilot in WWI.
kogatora
+1
Level 93
Apr 11, 2019
I first answered Edmund to 1502
p4tr1ck
+1
Level 62
Apr 16, 2019
99/100 = 4 points :(
Arp2600
+1
Level 86
Jun 5, 2019
You'd only need 92 now.
Malbaby
+1
Level 71
Apr 20, 2019
Tried 'The species' and wasn't given it ...... grrrrrrrr
Berney
+2
Level 80
Apr 22, 2019
That's because the answer wants one word only to give the exact name of the book.
Pares321
+1
Level 79
Mar 22, 2021
It's about species in general, not the human species.
vermiciousknid
+1
Level 88
Jun 4, 2019
Great quiz! I did notice one issue though. When you type in the first part of the answer for 1632 it fills in the answer for 1567.
Berney
+1
Level 80
Jun 4, 2019
Thanks for that. I'll take a look at changing one of the questions.
Quizmaster
+1
Level ∞
Jun 4, 2019
@Berney. I noticed you changed the answer but didn't resubmit. The question is now changed.
Berney
+1
Level 80
Jun 4, 2019
You beat me to it! Aside from changing the question for the 1630s I was in the middle of some minor corrections and clarifications before resubmitting. I've finished that now so can it be re-approved please.
JackintheBox
+2
Level 79
Jun 5, 2019
Please change 'This iconic river crossing over the Thames is opened for traffic' to 'This iconic BRIDGEGEGE crossing over the Thames is opened for traffic' :)
Berney
+3
Level 80
Jun 5, 2019
That's the point of phrasing the question that way, so it doesn't include the word 'bridge'.
JackintheBox
+2
Level 79
Jun 5, 2019
But.. the Tower Bridge isn't a river, but your hint goes 'This iconic river...'
Berney
+2
Level 80
Jun 5, 2019
... but it is a "river crossing", i.e. a means by which a river is crossed. Wikipedia also has a definition at: River Crossing.
Eigengrau
+3
Level 60
Jun 6, 2019
How about a little hyphen? Because I got confused too, you know, like "river-crossing"
JackintheBox
+1
Level 79
Jun 6, 2019
Ohhhhhh, you meant 'river-crossing' instead of 'river... crossing'. I believe a hyphen would help there, thanks
EcceHomo
+2
Level 79
Mar 1, 2021
On the other hand, you could read it properly. It is fine as it is. A river crossing is a crossing over a river. The fact that you misunderstood it is nothing to do with inaccurate orthography, and more to do with the fact you think it's smart to point out petty or typographical errors. It isn't.
Hominka
+1
Level 80
Jun 5, 2019
For Bayeux Tapestry -- the question asks for what tapestry, but just answering Bayeux does not work
Berney
+1
Level 80
Jun 5, 2019
Bayeux works when I tried it, along with multiple variations.
kiwiquizzer
+1
Level 68
Jun 5, 2019
That was fun apart from when I can't pull the answer out of my brain. 60%.
JackintheBox
+1
Level 79
Jun 5, 2019
Also got 60%!
WelshWizard
+1
Level 83
Jun 5, 2019
Not sure describing Wales as a "region" not a "country" in the context of 1283 will go down well.
TWM03
+1
Level 70
Jun 5, 2019
Well it was in the process of ceasing to be a sovereign state.
ruftytufty
+1
Level 79
Jun 5, 2019
yma o hyd
evileve
+1
Level 39
May 10, 2021
Well strictly the sovereign state being conquered was Gwynedd, not Wales,
JackintheBox
+1
Level 79
Jun 5, 2019
I tried 'Doomsday' instead of 'Domesday'...
Berney
+1
Level 80
Jun 5, 2019
Domesday Book and Doomsday Book both work.
JackintheBox
+2
Level 79
Jun 5, 2019
Oh, didn't realise I had to type 'book'.
TheodoreE45
+1
Level 93
Apr 15, 2021
I typed in 'Domesday,' which works on every single quiz I've ever seen it appear. I had no idea I had to type in book. Could 'Domesday' work as a type-in? This quiz is overall great, but a little too strict in the type-ins. Like 'St. Paul' isn't accepted, only 'St. Paul's'.
Berney
+1
Level 80
Apr 15, 2021
Thanks for that. I've made a couple of changes and re-submitted so it just needs approval.
kalbahamut
+1
Level 82
Jun 5, 2019
Could use another minute or two.
Sifhraven
+1
Level 67
Jun 5, 2019
Allways thought it was azincourt, that what you get when you only have heard of things. High scores on this quiz! I didnt get half, did get the furnituremaker though :) after first trying mouseman.

some i knew though but werent accepted on minor technicalities. Like I tried fifa and worldchampionship. And also mint without the royal.

Berney
+1
Level 80
Jun 5, 2019
I've added Azincourt as an alternative spelling as I've also seen that variation - I've submitted the change so it just needs the quiz to be re-approved. FIFA is the name of the organisation not the competition and it's also not called the World Championship.
Arp2600
+1
Level 86
Jun 5, 2019
Azincourt is the French name.
kalbahamut
+1
Level 82
Jun 5, 2019
I had to look up the spelling of Bannockburn.
Qikiq
+2
Level 86
Jun 5, 2019
I also tried mint and when it wasn't accepted, moved on. Didn't think to add the Royal part.
joanie97
+1
Level 72
Jun 5, 2019
Me too. Also missed "suffragette" after trying "suffrage" and "women's suffrage".
ander217
+2
Level 75
Jun 5, 2019
The clue asked for the movement. Pankhurst was the suffragette. Suffrage was the movement. When suffrage didn't work I moved on - I think this one needs to be fixed.
Berney
+2
Level 80
Jun 5, 2019
The term "Suffragette" Movement was certainly used in Britain, but I agree "Suffrage" should be accepted. I've edited the answer and resubmitted for approval.
Arp2600
+1
Level 86
Jun 6, 2019
And I think suffragist could be accepted as well.
RobNobody
+1
Level 76
Jun 5, 2019
1259: "Welsh leader? Not a clue, so I'll try the most Welsh name I can think of, and... score!"
TheRealMikeJones
+1
Level 58
Jun 7, 2019
Got this one quite easily, but I'm am Welsh.
luxint
+1
Level 65
Jun 6, 2019
Great effort Berney. Thanks
LancasterII
+1
Level 73
Jan 23, 2020
For "Supermarine Spitfire" I'd kindly suggest just accepting "spitfire." Very excellent quiz notwithstanding!
Berney
+1
Level 80
Jan 24, 2020
Thanks for that. 'Spitfire' on its own has always worked - I just tried again and it still does.
Teegthebeeg
+1
Level 55
Apr 21, 2020
Interesting facts - the first aircraft shot down by a Spitfire was a Hurricane (the 'battle' of Barking Creek). The last Spitfire shot down was shot down by a Spitfire - in the Arab -Israeli conflict.
CyberSnare
+1
Level 59
Apr 29, 2020
The spitfire question tricked me because "fighter" read to me as a person. If it said "fighter plane" I would've got it.
Berney
+1
Level 80
Apr 29, 2020
It does say "two squadrons" of that fighter though which should imply that it's an aircraft rather than a person. Nearly 50% of people taking it get that one correct as well.
Dazzy69
+1
Level 56
Jun 16, 2020
William Wallace was Welsh , and the actual act of union between Wales and England was never signed by recognised Welsh leader , Wales has most fortified castles in the world built by various English kings ,Wales only actually united under one leader Owain Glyndwr ,, throughout history ( and today ) Welsh regions were hired by English to fight against other hated regions . So in reality they only really beat themselves , ,also Henry vii Harri ap Twdur , landed in Wales and recruited mainly Welsh men on way to battle where he claimed the English throne , the Tudor family being Welsh ,.as usual a quiz that is solely from Scotland and England view when Wales are far and away the most interesting , oh St Patrick was also Welsh.
Berney
+1
Level 80
Jun 16, 2020
Thanks for the comments, I've seen stories that William Wallace may have had Welsh roots somewhere in his ancestry but as far as I've read he was born in south-west Scotland and that seems to be the consensus. The quiz actually says he was a 'Scottish leader' and he did lead Scottish forces so it's not incorrect anyway. I guess it depends on your viewpoint whether Wales has 'by far and away the most interesting history' - the problem with doing a quiz like this is that it's harder to come up with questions about Welsh history which are going to be known by a good percentage of the people who take the quiz. Having said that it would be good to see your thoughts on that so why don't you create a quiz that portrays more of a Welsh viewpoint?
spingospungo
+1
Level 57
Jul 5, 2021
Being born in South West Scotland isn't decisive since Strathclyde had been a separate Welsh kingdom into the 11th century and remained Brythonic in language for some time after that. I don't think there's any doubt that 'Wallace' derives from the Old English word for Welsh. I wouldn't suggest he 'was' Welsh in the way we think of these things now but it's tolerably clear that Welshness was part of his ancestral background. The Welsh/Brythonic component of Scottish history seems to me to be the least remembered generally.
Joda123
+1
Level 45
Jun 25, 2020
In lockdown I looked at a fair bit of British history, got 53 on my first attempt here but it would have been much lower a few months ago. Great quiz, thanks!
Berney
+1
Level 80
Jun 25, 2020
I'm glad you enjoyed it, thanks.
peardestroyer
+1
Level 56
Oct 24, 2020
Great! Maybe make the vertical padding for the Year column a bit wider?
peardestroyer
+1
Level 56
May 1, 2021
horizontal*
JonOfKent
+1
Level 56
Jan 19, 2021
This quiz is a work of art. Loved it. Thanks.
Berney
+2
Level 80
Jan 19, 2021
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
XYU
+1
Level 62
Jan 26, 2021
Learned a lot from the quiz, cheers for putting it together. I went and read up about this William Tyndale; it seems his execution was more for his opposition to Henry VIII's marriage than for his bible translation. Just a minor point; you could probably re-word it anyway.
Berney
+1
Level 80
Jan 26, 2021
Thanks. I think there were several factors and the Bible translation 'heresy' was certainly one of them. Coincidentally, I live about two miles from Tyndale's birthplace where there is a large memorial to him and it's the Bible translation for which he is probably best known.
EcceHomo
+1
Level 79
Mar 1, 2021
Excellent idea for a quiz, and an excellent quiz, thanks Berney.
Berney
+1
Level 80
Mar 1, 2021
Thanks. Glad you like it.
TheRatmeister
+2
Level 85
Jul 20, 2021
"Mint" should be good enough.
Berney
+2
Level 80
Jul 20, 2021
I don't agree I'm afraid. There have been many mints in existence and this is asking about a specific one.
Newroadgirl
+1
Level 68
Aug 23, 2021
Really interesting quiz. As a Brit I scored highly but had to think hard, and enjoyed finding out about the answers I didn't get.

Thanks.

Berney
+1
Level 80
Aug 23, 2021
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks.
kitsims
+1
Level 82
Feb 26, 2022
"Suffrage" just means the right to vote. The name of the movement specifically to grant votes to women was the Suffragettes.
AbiA
+1
Level 83
Mar 8, 2023
Excellent quiz thank you.
mal
+1
Level 61
Apr 9, 2023
Really enjoyed that, did ok, frustrating that I did know a lot of the answers I missed just couldn't remember them. Good Quiz :-)
Berney
+1
Level 80
Apr 9, 2023
Thanks for having a go!
Berney
+1
Level 80
Apr 26, 2023
Added two minutes, just waiting for it to be approved.
rabble
+1
Level 66
May 12, 2023
Really impressive history. I wish every country had one of these. I'd love to know more about which civilizations contributed most to my modern benefit.

It's hard to grasp that a thousand years ago some people were already seeking to better themselves & humanity by organizing and creating a system of higher education. Thanks GB.

MarcosDiego
+1
Level 55
Feb 1, 2024
thought 1066 was the battle at stamford bridge, didn't get that one
Berney
+1
Level 80
Feb 1, 2024
That battle was the same year but Harold wasn't killed in that one.
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