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GCSEHistoryEdexcelExam QuestionsAnglo-Saxon & Norman England, c1060-1088 Edward the Confessor's Final Years

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2016

Last exams 2025

Edward the Confessor's Final Years (Edexcel GCSE History): Exam Questions

Exam code: 1HI0

17 mins17 questions
Easy
Medium
Hard
11 mark

Which King gave Godwin his title of Earl of Wessex?

  • King Cnut.

  • King Alfred the Great.

  • King Edward the Confessor.

  • King William.

Choose your answer

21 mark

Who became Earl of Wessex after the death of Godwin in 1053?

  • Tostig Godwinson.

  • Gyrth Godwinson.

  • Harold Godwinson.

  • Leofwine Godwinson.

Choose your answer

31 mark

What key event in 1065 directly led to Tostig’s exile?

  • A rebellion in Northumbria against Tostig’s rule.

  • His refusal to marry into the Norman family.

  • His failed invasion of Wales.

  • His assassination of Morcar.

Choose your answer

41 mark

Which foreign country did Tostig form a controversial friendship with, angering the Northumbrians?

  • France.

  • Denmark.

  • Scotland.

  • Norway.

Choose your answer

51 mark

What role did Harold Godwinson play in the rebellion against Tostig?

  • He defended Tostig from the rebels.

  • He ignored the rebellion.

  • He negotiated peace with the Northumbrian rebels.

  • He led the rebellion against Tostig.

Choose your answer

61 mark

What was Edward’s connection to Normandy?

  • He was born in Normandy.

  • His mother was from Normandy. Edward lived there in exile.

  • He invaded Normandy as a young prince.

  • He had no connections to Normandy.

Choose your answer

71 mark

Who did Edward the Confessor exile in 1051, leading to tensions with the Godwin family?

  • Harold Godwinson.

  • Tostig Godwinson.

  • Gyrth Godwinson.

  • Godwin, Earl of Wessex.

Choose your answer

11 mark

What caused the Northumbrians to rebel against Tostig Godwinson in 1065?

  • Tostig accused his enemies of false crimes to take money and land away from them.

  • Tostig had a friendship with Llywelyn, the King of Wales. 

  • Tostig decreased taxes in Northumbria.

  • Edward chose a northerner to become the Earl of Northumbria.

Choose your answer

21 mark

What was one consequence of Tostig's rule in Northumbria?

  • The Northumbrian people became wealthier.

  • Northumbrians were angry enough to start a rebellion against Tostig.

  • Northumbria became the most powerful earldom in Anglo-Saxon England.

  • Tostig became the King of England as he demonstrated his ability to govern.

Choose your answer

31 mark

What was one reason the Danelaw area was difficult to govern for Tostig?

  • The Northumbrians spoke French.

  • The Danelaw paid higher taxes.

  • The people were exempt from certain taxes.

  • There were more earls in the Danelaw.

Choose your answer

41 mark

What was a consequence of Harold’s embassy to Normandy in c1064?

  • Harold captured William of Normandy and brought him back to England.

  • Harold gained a reputation as an oath-breaker.

  • William, Duke of Normandy invaded England with support for Tostig.

  • Harold became the Duke of Normandy.

Choose your answer

51 mark

How did Edward’s exile to Normandy influence his reign?

  • He formed strong relationships with Normans, bringing them into English politics.

  • He learnt about Norman fighting tactics and brought these to the fyrd.

  • He rejected any Norman influence in England.

  • He married a Norman queen.

Choose your answer

11 mark

Why was the House of Godwin so powerful by the 1060s?

  • They were the royal family of England.

  • They owned vast amounts of land.

  • They were allied with the Normans.

  • They were supported by the Church.

Choose your answer

21 mark

How did Harold Godwinson secure influence over the Welsh?

  • Harold ensured a marriage between Llywelyn and Edith Godwinson.

  • Harold formed an alliance with Aelfgar.

  • Harold conquered Wales for himself.

  • Harold married Edith, the widow of the King of Wales.

Choose your answer

31 mark

Why was Tostig's friendship with Malcolm III unpopular in Northumbria?

  • Tostig wanted Malcolm to be King of England.

  • Northumbrians feared that Tostig would turn on Malcolm, leading to a war.

  • After Malcolm raided Northumbria in 1061, Tostig agreed to peace terms rather than get revenge.

  • Tostig married Malcolm’s daughter. Northumbria did not want to be connected to Scotland.

Choose your answer

41 mark

What was the key significance of the 1065 rebellion against Tostig for Edward the Confessor?

  • It showed the strength of Edward's military skills.

  • It weakened Edward’s power, as he could not control his earls.

  • It showed that Edward supported Tostig fully.

  • It ended the influence of the House of Godwin.

Choose your answer

51 mark

How did Edward the Confessor's Norman appointments impact the relationship with the Godwins?

  • The Godwins resented the Norman influence. 

  • The Godwins lost their lands to the Normans.

  • The Godwins supported the Norman influence.

  • The Normans helped strengthen the House of Godwin.

Choose your answer