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Quiz about The History and Culture of the Vikings

The History and Culture of the Vikings Quiz

This quiz tests knowledge of perhaps the most brutal group of pillagers ever- who also helped to change world history.

A multiple-choice quiz by CzarManx. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
CzarManx

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
132,134

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
9 / 15

Plays
2714

Last 3 plays: Guest 174 (5/15), Guest 31 (12/15), Stonecreek (10/15).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Although Leif Ericson was the first European to land in the New World, which earlier Viking was actually the first to sight it? Hint

Eric the Red

Bjarni Herjolfsson

Bjorn Olafsson

Snori Sturluson

NEXT>

Question 2 of 15

2. Leif Ericson's last name means he was the son of Eric the Red. However, what was Eric the Red's real last name (________son)? Hint

Ericson

Thorvaldson

Ulfsson

Bjornsson

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Question 3 of 15

3. Vinland was the name the Vikings gave to what land? Hint

Greenland

Newfoundland

Iceland

Nova Scotia

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Question 4 of 15

4. Created in 930 AD, where is the world's oldest functioning legislature known as the Althing? Hint

Norway

Iceland

Greenland

Sweden

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Question 5 of 15

5. Which of the following was a tax imposed by King Ethelred II to pay off Viking invaders? Hint

Danemark

Danelaw

Danegeld

Danevirke

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Question 6 of 15

6. Which Norwegian king was converted to Christianity in 994 AD, and then set out to Christianize the country? Hint

Svold I

Olaf II

Olaf I

Sweyn I Forkbeard

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Question 7 of 15

7. Viking architecture consisted mainly of which type of house? Hint

the longhouse

the barkhouse

the danehouse

the shorthouse

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Question 8 of 15

8. In 911 AD, the West Frankish King Charles III gave which piece of land to the Vikings under the leadership of Rollo? Hint

Bourgogne

East Francia

Lorraine

Normandy

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Question 9 of 15

9. Which Icelandic historian wrote "The Prose Edda" or "The Younger Edda" that tells of Scandinavian mythology? Hint

Snorri Sturluson

Ari Thorgilsson

Sturla Thordarson

Egill Skallagrimsson

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Question 10 of 15

10. What was used originally to write the Germanic languages? Hint

the Roman alphabet

runes

pictographs

hieroglyphs

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Question 11 of 15

11. What was a Scandinavian court poet called? Hint

skald

hvinis

thjotholf

eddas

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Question 12 of 15

12. Who was the first Christian king in Scandinavia? Hint

Cnut Olegsson

Harald Bluetooth

Bjorn Halfbeard

Thorvald Thorgillsson

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Question 13 of 15

13. How did the longboat aid the Vikings in their pillaging? Hint

The longboat could row in very shallow waters- therefore the Vikings could attack unprepared villages

The longboats had areas for archers to take cover at, so they could shoot at enemies at the shore

The longboats were small but could transport more than 500 men to land

The longboats had early ballistas on them, which were lit on fire and shot at wooden buildings from riverbanks

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Question 14 of 15

14. Which of the following areas were NOT subject to Viking raids or Viking colonization? Hint

Croatia

Spain

Russia

Turkey

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Question 15 of 15

15. In 793 AD, the first known Viking raid occurred at which monastery, the center of Northumbrian Christianity? Hint

York

Scone

Lindisfarne

Edington

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Most Recent Scores

Mar 14 2024 : Guest 174: 5/15
Mar 02 2024 : Guest 31: 12/15
Mar 02 2024 : Stonecreek: 10/15
Feb 27 2024 : Guest 98: 10/15

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Although Leif Ericson was the first European to land in the New World, which earlier Viking was actually the first to sight it?

Answer: Bjarni Herjolfsson

Herjolfsson, an Icelandic trader, first sighted North America in 986 AD after he was driven there by a storm. Leif bought his ship and tried to retrace the journey according to Herjolfsson's account.

2. Leif Ericson's last name means he was the son of Eric the Red. However, what was Eric the Red's real last name (________son)?

Answer: Thorvaldson

Eric's father, Thorvald, was an outlaw in Norway so he moved to Iceland. Eric, however, repeated history by becoming an outlaw in Iceland and had to move to Greenland.

3. Vinland was the name the Vikings gave to what land?

Answer: Newfoundland

Newfoundland, the area where Leif Ericson landed, was called Vinland ("Wineland") because of the grapes that grew there.

4. Created in 930 AD, where is the world's oldest functioning legislature known as the Althing?

Answer: Iceland

After Norway took away Iceland's independence, the power of the Althing slowly diminished. In 1800, the legislative body was suspended, but was reconvened in 1843 and has continued since.
The Isle of Man has the longest 'continuous' parliament, which commenced in 1077. Nonetheless, the Althing is still the oldest legislature although suspended for 43 years.

5. Which of the following was a tax imposed by King Ethelred II to pay off Viking invaders?

Answer: Danegeld

The Danegeld was collected up until 1162 AD.

6. Which Norwegian king was converted to Christianity in 994 AD, and then set out to Christianize the country?

Answer: Olaf I

Olaf I was converted during his final campaign in England against the Danish Sweyn I Forkbeard.

7. Viking architecture consisted mainly of which type of house?

Answer: the longhouse

Around nine longhouse ruins were found near L'Anse-aux-Meadows in Newfoundland in 1963.

8. In 911 AD, the West Frankish King Charles III gave which piece of land to the Vikings under the leadership of Rollo?

Answer: Normandy

Rollo was an ancestor of William the Conqueror, who in 1066 conquered England.

9. Which Icelandic historian wrote "The Prose Edda" or "The Younger Edda" that tells of Scandinavian mythology?

Answer: Snorri Sturluson

Sturluson also wrote "Heimskringla" which tells of the rulers of Norway from legendary times to 1177.

10. What was used originally to write the Germanic languages?

Answer: runes

The runic alphabet, called the "futhark", originally consisted of 24 characters. In Old Norse, it was later reduced to 16, following sound changes. In other Germanic languages, such as Anglo-Saxon, the number of characters remained more or less constant.

11. What was a Scandinavian court poet called?

Answer: skald

One famous skald was Hallfrethr Vandraethskald, who eulogized Olav Tryggvasson, King of Norway (995-1000).

12. Who was the first Christian king in Scandinavia?

Answer: Harald Bluetooth

Bluetooth was from Denmark, and became king of Denmark and Norway in 965.

13. How did the longboat aid the Vikings in their pillaging?

Answer: The longboat could row in very shallow waters- therefore the Vikings could attack unprepared villages

Viking longboats could hold 50 people, but not 500. They could row ashore deep into the mainland into areas that did not expect attacks by water.

14. Which of the following areas were NOT subject to Viking raids or Viking colonization?

Answer: Croatia

The Vikings were not limited to the north. They spread as far south as Muslim Africa and as far east as the Caspian Sea.

15. In 793 AD, the first known Viking raid occurred at which monastery, the center of Northumbrian Christianity?

Answer: Lindisfarne

Lindisfarne is also called Holy Island. Monks later fled from the Danish Viking threat.

Source: Author CzarManx

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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