GCSE History | Warfare in Roman and Medieval Britain

History Quiz - Britain: Warfare Between AD 50 and AD 1350 (Questions)

This GCSE History quiz looks at warfare in Britain from Roman conquest to medieval times, exploring how armies, weapons, and tactics changed between AD 50 and AD 1350.

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Fascinating Fact:

In AD 43–50 the Romans used a professional, highly trained army with legions and auxiliaries to conquer much of Britain.

In GCSE History, the topic “Britain: Warfare between AD 50 and AD 1350” explores how control of the country was fought over, from organised Roman legions to Norman knights and medieval castle warfare.

Key Terms

Legion: A large unit of the Roman army, usually thousands of professional infantry soldiers led by senior officers.
Auxiliary: A non-citizen soldier who supported the legions, often serving as cavalry, archers, or other specialist troops.
Feudal levy: Medieval soldiers called up by a lord or king because they held land or owed military service.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is studied in Britain: Warfare between AD 50 and AD 1350?

This GCSE topic looks at how warfare in Britain changed from the Roman conquest to the later Middle Ages, including armies, weapons, castles, tactics, and the impact of war on people.

How did Roman legions help the Romans control Britain?

Roman legions were disciplined, well-trained professional soldiers supported by auxiliaries. They used forts, roads, and careful planning to defeat tribal warriors and hold conquered territory.

How did warfare in Britain change by around AD 1350?

By about AD 1350, warfare relied more on armoured knights, longbowmen, castles, and feudal armies. Battles were often linked to struggles for the throne and control of land and power.

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Which tribe formed the main part of Boudica's forces?

[ ]	Trinovantes
[ ]	Londinii
[ ]	Iceni
[ ]	Camulodi

Which division of the Roman army contained between 4,000 and 6,000 soldiers?

[ ]	Legion
[ ]	Cohort
[ ]	Century
[ ]	Double Century

In the Saxon army what name was given to professional soldiers, paid by the king and other landowners and recruited while young?

[ ]	Fyrdmen
[ ]	Housecarls
[ ]	Thegns
[ ]	Eorls

What was the name of the coat of chainmail worn by Saxon troops?

[ ]	Byrnie
[ ]	Smock
[ ]	Curthose
[ ]	Surcoat

Who led the English forces at Hastings in 1066?

[ ]	Harold Hardrada
[ ]	Harold Godwinson
[ ]	Leofwine
[ ]	Gyrth

Which of the following was not killed at Hastings?

[ ]	Bishop Odo of Bayeux
[ ]	Harold Godwinson
[ ]	Gyrth Godwinson
[ ]	Leofwine Godwinson

What word is used to describe the circular configuration of Edward I's new castles in Wales?

[ ]	Circular
[ ]	Round
[ ]	Concentric
[ ]	Orotund

Who commanded the Scottish forces at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314?

[ ]	William Wallace
[ ]	Macbeth
[ ]	Edward Bruce
[ ]	Robert the Bruce

What was the name of Edward III's son, who fought at the Battle of Crecy In 1346?

[ ]	Edward Longshanks
[ ]	Piers Gaveston
[ ]	Edward the Black Prince
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10.

What name is given to the war of which the Battle of Crecy is a part?

[ ]	The 30 Years' War
[ ]	The War of the Roses
[ ]	The Great War
[ ]	The Hundred Years' War

History Quiz - Britain: Warfare Between AD 50 and AD 1350 (Answers)

Which tribe formed the main part of Boudica's forces?

[ ]	Trinovantes
[ ]	Londinii
[x]	Iceni
[ ]	Camulodi

Britain's native inhabitants were far from united, being divided into numerous tribal areas

Which division of the Roman army contained between 4,000 and 6,000 soldiers?

[x]	Legion
[ ]	Cohort
[ ]	Century
[ ]	Double Century

The Roman army was carefully structured into various sizes of infantry formations

In the Saxon army what name was given to professional soldiers, paid by the king and other landowners and recruited while young?

[ ]	Fyrdmen
[x]	Housecarls
[ ]	Thegns
[ ]	Eorls

The Saxons did not use cavalry, but deployed two categories of foot soldiers

What was the name of the coat of chainmail worn by Saxon troops?

[x]	Byrnie
[ ]	Smock
[ ]	Curthose
[ ]	Surcoat

Saxon soldiers were well protected also by pointed helmets and wooden shields

Who led the English forces at Hastings in 1066?

[ ]	Harold Hardrada
[x]	Harold Godwinson
[ ]	Leofwine
[ ]	Gyrth

Having won the battle of Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire, the English marched south to Hastings to face Duke William's invading army in October 1066

Which of the following was not killed at Hastings?

[x]	Bishop Odo of Bayeux
[ ]	Harold Godwinson
[ ]	Gyrth Godwinson
[ ]	Leofwine Godwinson

This was a long and closely fought battle with numerous casualties - as depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry

What word is used to describe the circular configuration of Edward I's new castles in Wales?

[ ]	Circular
[ ]	Round
[x]	Concentric
[ ]	Orotund

Edward subdued North Wales in the 1280's, and built many castles there in a relatively new style to secure his recent conquests

Who commanded the Scottish forces at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314?

[ ]	William Wallace
[ ]	Macbeth
[ ]	Edward Bruce
[x]	Robert the Bruce

Edward II sent a formidable army northwards in 1314, partly to relieve his beleaguered garrison in Stirling Castle