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Worksheets

William the Conqueror and the Magna Carta

Total questions: 41

Worksheet time: 22mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Why do many scholars consider the Battle of Hastings to be the biggest event in English history?

a)

It destroyed the English aristocracy and put the people from Normandy in charge.

b)

It ended the rule of Edward the Confessor and allowed William the Conqueror to become king.

c)

It paved the way for a spree of castle building and church building.

d)

It led to the establishment of feudalism in England that was like the feudalism in other parts of Europe.

2.

The Magna Carta was drawn up by the ______.

a)

queen

b)

nobles

c)

king

d)

peasants

3.

The Magna Carta was presented to the _____.

a)

king

b)

nobles

c)

peasants

d)

knights

4.

The Magna Carta limited the power of the _______.

a)

nobles

b)

peasants

c)

king

d)

knights

5.

The Magna Carta increased the power of the _____.

a)

peasants

b)

queen

c)

king

d)

nobles

6.

The Constitution of the United States is based, in part, upon some of the principles put forth in the Magna Carta. What does the following statement describe? "Government leaders are elected by voters."

a)

United States Constitution

b)

The Magna Carta

c)

Both the United States Constitution and the Magna Carta

d)

Neither the United States Constitution nor the Magna Carta

7.

The Constitution of the United States is based, in part, upon some of the principles put forth in the Magna Carta. What does the following statement describe? "The government cannot tax people without their consent."

a)

United States Constitution

b)

The Magna Carta

c)

Both the United States Constitution and the Magna Carta

d)

Neither the United States Constitution nor the Magna Carta

8.

The Constitution of the United States is based, in part, upon some of the principles put forth in the Magna Carta. What does the following statement describe? "People have a right to a trial by jury."

a)

United States Constitution

b)

The Magna Carta

c)

Both the United States Constitution and the Magna Carta

d)

Neither the United States Constitution nor the Magna Carta

9.

The Constitution of the United States is based, in part, upon some of the principles put forth in the Magna Carta. What does the following statement describe? "Everyone must obey laws."

a)

United States Constitution

b)

The Magna Carta

c)

Both the United States Constitution and the Magna Carta

d)

Neither the United States Constitution nor the Magna Carta

10.

The Constitution of the United States is based, in part, upon some of the principles put forth in the Magna Carta. What does the following statement describe? "The highest office is held by the king."

a)

United States Constitution

b)

The Magna Carta

c)

Both the United States Constitution and the Magna Carta

d)

Neither the United States Constitution nor the Magna Carta

11.

The Constitution of the United States is based, in part, upon some of the principles put forth in the Magna Carta. What does the following statement describe? "The highest office is held by the president."

a)

United States Constitution

b)

The Magna Carta

c)

Both the United States Constitution and the Magna Carta

d)

Neither the United States Constitution nor the Magna Carta

12.

This fictional newspaper story, based on real events, cites experts who say changes will be coming. What were those changes?

a)

Norman French became the language of the English ruling class.

b)

English became the language of French rulers.

c)

Castles were converted into monasteries to promote learning.

d)

Nobles became more powerful and independent.

e)

English became the universal language.

13.

This fictional newspaper story, based on real events, cites experts who say changes will be coming. What were those changes?

a)

The king became the supreme ruler over the land.

b)

English became the language of French rulers.

c)

Castles were converted into monasteries to promote learning.

d)

Nobles became more powerful and independent.

e)

English became the universal language.

14.

This fictional newspaper story, based on real events, cites experts who say changes will be coming. What were those changes?

a)

Many castles and churches were built.

b)

English became the language of French rulers.

c)

Castles were converted into monasteries to promote learning.

d)

Nobles became more powerful and independent.

e)

English became the universal language.

15.

Understanding the events leading to the Battle of Hastings and its aftermath are important to gaining insights from this period of time. Which of these occurred first?

a)

Duke William and Harald Hardrada claim the throne.

b)

Harold Godwinson is crowned king.

c)

Edward the Confessor dies.

d)

Godwinson defeats Hardrada's army.

16.

Understanding the events leading to the Battle of Hastings and its aftermath are important to gaining insights from this period of time. Which of these occurred second?

a)

Duke William and Harald Hardrada claim the throne.

b)

Harold Godwinson is crowned king.

c)

Edward the Confessor dies.

d)

Godwinson defeats Hardrada's army.

17.

Understanding the events leading to the Battle of Hastings and its aftermath are important to gaining insights from this period of time. Which of these occurred third?

a)

Duke William and Harald Hardrada claim the throne.

b)

Harold Godwinson is crowned king.

c)

Edward the Confessor dies.

d)

Godwinson defeats Hardrada's army.

18.

Understanding the events leading to the Battle of Hastings and its aftermath are important to gaining insights from this period of time. Which of these occurred last?

a)

Duke William and Harald Hardrada claim the throne.

b)

Harold Godwinson is crowned king.

c)

Edward the Confessor dies.

d)

Godwinson defeats Hardrada's army.

19.

Understanding the events leading to the Battle of Hastings and its aftermath are important to gaining insights from this period of time. Which of these occurred first?

a)

Duke William and Harald Hardrada claim the throne.

b)

Duke William becomes William the Conqueror.

c)

Battle of Hastings is fought.

d)

Godwinson defeats Hardrada's army.

20.

Understanding the events leading to the Battle of Hastings and its aftermath are important to gaining insights from this period of time. Which of these occurred second?

a)

Duke William and Harald Hardrada claim the throne.

b)

Duke William becomes William the Conqueror.

c)

Battle of Hastings is fought.

d)

Godwinson defeats Hardrada's army.

21.

Understanding the events leading to the Battle of Hastings and its aftermath are important to gaining insights from this period of time. Which of these occurred third?

a)

Duke William and Harald Hardrada claim the throne.

b)

Duke William becomes William the Conqueror.

c)

Battle of Hastings is fought.

d)

Godwinson defeats Hardrada's army.

22.

Understanding the events leading to the Battle of Hastings and its aftermath are important to gaining insights from this period of time. Which of these occurred last?

a)

Duke William and Harald Hardrada claim the throne.

b)

Duke William becomes William the Conqueror.

c)

Battle of Hastings is fought.

d)

Godwinson defeats Hardrada's army.

23.

Which of these refers to the English government before the Battle of Hastings? (Choose two.)

a)

All nobles were not loyal to the king.

b)

There were many feuds and wars between rival nobles.

c)

All nobles were loyal to the king.

d)

The country was unified.

24.

Which of these refers to the English government after the Battle of Hastings? (Choose two.)

a)

All nobles were not loyal to the king.

b)

There were many feuds and wars between rival nobles.

c)

All nobles were loyal to the king.

d)

The country was unified.

25.

Which of these refers to the English government before the Battle of Hastings? (Choose two.)

a)

The king was weak and dependent upon nobles.

b)

There were many feuds and wars between rival nobles.

c)

The king ruled the land directly.

d)

The country was unified.

26.

Which of these refers to the English government after the Battle of Hastings? (Choose two.)

a)

The king was weak and dependent upon nobles.

b)

There were many feuds and wars between rival nobles.

c)

The king ruled the land directly.

d)

The country was unified.

27.

What actions and policies characterized the rule of King John before the Magna Carta? (Choose 2.)

a)

He ignored feudal traditions.

b)

He lost English territory to France.

c)

He tried to be fair to the nobles.

d)

He shared his money with the nobles.

28.

What actions and policies characterized the rule of King John before the Magna Carta? (Choose 2.)

a)

He ignored feudal traditions.

b)

He demanded more money from the nobles.

c)

He tried to be fair to the nobles.

d)

He conquered French territory for England.

29.

Which statement best summarizes this quote from the Magna Carta? "No scutage or aid may be levied in our kingdom without its general consent . . . " --Clause 12 of the Magna Carta

a)

The king should not grow rich from taxes and fees.

b)

No one should serve in the military without their consent.

c)

Taxes and fees were also a form of aid to the king.

d)

No one should have to pay taxes without their consent.

30.

What legal principle is expressed in this quote from the Magna Carta? "No free man is to be arrested, or imprisoned, . . . except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land." --Clause 39 of the Magna Carta

a)

freedom from harsh and unusual punishment

b)

freedom from self-incrimination

c)

the right to a jury trial

d)

the right to legal representation

31.

After the signing of the Magna Carta, war broke out between King John and _____.

a)

the courts of law

b)

the nobles

c)

the peasants

d)

the pope

32.

For help, King John turned to _____ for help after war broke out.

a)

the courts of law

b)

the nobles

c)

the peasants

d)

the pope

33.

The pope decided to ____ the Magna Carta in order to help King John.

a)

cancel

b)

uphold

c)

honor

d)

renegotiate

34.

What was one main source of conflict between the European monarchs and the pope during the Middle Ages?

a)

The pope wanted the power to crown an emperor who would support him.

b)

They both wanted the power to appoint bishops who were loyal to them.

c)

The monarchs wanted the power to choose a pope by a secret ballot.

d)

They both wanted the power to tax nobles without their consent.

35.

During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church was the largest ____ in Europe.

a)

merchant

b)

taxpayer

c)

landowner

d)

country

36.

During the Middle Ages, most people in Europe ______.

a)

followed one religion

b)

obeyed one set of laws

c)

spoke one common language

d)

migrated to China

37.

Which of these events occurred first in medieval England?

a)

King John's army is weakened from war.

b)

The rule of law is introduced to Western Europe.

c)

Power is consolidated under the king's rule.

d)

Nobles force the king to sign the Magna Carta.

e)

The Battle of Hastings occurs.

38.

Which of these events occurred second in medieval England?

a)

King John's army is weakened from war.

b)

The rule of law is introduced to Western Europe.

c)

Power is consolidated under the king's rule.

d)

Nobles force the king to sign the Magna Carta.

e)

The Battle of Hastings occurs.

39.

Which of these events occurred third in medieval England?

a)

King John's army is weakened from war.

b)

The rule of law is introduced to Western Europe.

c)

Power is consolidated under the king's rule.

d)

Nobles force the king to sign the Magna Carta.

e)

The Battle of Hastings occurs.

40.

Which of these events occurred fourth in medieval England?

a)

King John's army is weakened from war.

b)

The rule of law is introduced to Western Europe.

c)

Power is consolidated under the king's rule.

d)

Nobles force the king to sign the Magna Carta.

e)

The Battle of Hastings occurs.

41.

Which of these events occurred last?

a)

King John's army is weakened from war.

b)

The rule of law is introduced to Western Europe.

c)

Power is consolidated under the king's rule.

d)

Nobles force the king to sign the Magna Carta.

e)

The Battle of Hastings occurs.