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Alfred the Great Trivia Quiz

This should be a fairly easy multiple-choice quiz with some facts about the only English king called 'the Great'. Enjoy!

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

Author
Aethelflaed

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
124,509

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1788

Last 3 plays: Guest 178 (1/10), Guest 86 (6/10), Guest 82 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which group of raiders and settlers did Alfred have to defeat to remain king? Hint

Vikings

Saracens

Saxons

Franks

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Question 2 of 10

2. What position did Alfred hold in his family? Hint

eldest

youngest

second eldest

only child

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Question 3 of 10

3. Where was a statue of Alfred erected on the millennial anniversary of his death in 1899? Hint

London

Gloucester

Canterbury

Winchester

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Question 4 of 10

4. Alfred revived learning in England through a series of translations. Which one of the following works did he translate himself? Hint

Dialogues of Gregory the Great

the Bible

Orosius' History Against the Pagans

Gregory the Great's Pastoral Care

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Question 5 of 10

5. As well as being a warrior, intellectual and strategist, Alfred was also an inventor. What is he credited with making the first of in England? Hint

cakes

candles

horn lanterns

paper

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Question 6 of 10

6. Before his great victory, Alfred was forced into hiding. At his lowest point he stayed incognito with some farmers and is said to have: Hint

been deserted by his friends

fathered a child

let cakes burn that he was supposed to have been watching

wanted to become a farmer himself

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who succeeded Alfred on his death in 899? Hint

his son, Edward (known as the Elder)

his son-in-law Aethelred

his daughter Aethelflaed

his son Aethelweard

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Question 8 of 10

8. What era particularly idolised Alfred? Hint

the Victorians

the Elizabethans

the Edwardians

the Georgians

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Question 9 of 10

9. How do we know so much about Alfred? Hint

oral tradition

he kept a diary

we have a biography of him

he wrote an autobiography

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Question 10 of 10

10. Why is Alfred's success so remarkable? Hint

all of these

he suffered from a debilitating illness

his enemies were so fierce

he was forced into hiding for some time

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Most Recent Scores

Mar 30 2024 : Guest 178: 1/10
Mar 29 2024 : Guest 86: 6/10
Mar 29 2024 : Guest 82: 10/10
Mar 23 2024 : Guest 185: 0/10
Mar 12 2024 : Guest 188: 7/10
Mar 11 2024 : Guest 71: 9/10
Mar 07 2024 : Guest 49: 5/10
Feb 23 2024 : Guest 104: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which group of raiders and settlers did Alfred have to defeat to remain king?

Answer: Vikings

The Battle of Edington in 878 was the only defeat of a whole Viking army by an English king. Northumbria, East Anglia and Mercia had all been overrun.

2. What position did Alfred hold in his family?

Answer: youngest

Alfred had four elder brothers and in a more peaceful time, might never have become king.

3. Where was a statue of Alfred erected on the millennial anniversary of his death in 1899?

Answer: Winchester

Winchester was the capital of Alfred's ancestral kingdom of Wessex. It stayed the home of the royal treasury for centuries.

4. Alfred revived learning in England through a series of translations. Which one of the following works did he translate himself?

Answer: Gregory the Great's Pastoral Care

The Bible wasn't translated; the other two were done by helpers. Alfred's letter from the beginning of 'Pastoral Care' tells us a lot about how he saw his role in learning.

5. As well as being a warrior, intellectual and strategist, Alfred was also an inventor. What is he credited with making the first of in England?

Answer: horn lanterns

Alfred wanted to divide his time equally, so he measured it with slow-burning candles. When he found weather was affecting the burning speed, he made horn lanterns so that they would all burn equally fast.

6. Before his great victory, Alfred was forced into hiding. At his lowest point he stayed incognito with some farmers and is said to have:

Answer: let cakes burn that he was supposed to have been watching

What Alfred is most remembered for! Sadly this story probably isn't true. It's recorded in the twelfth-century Annals of St. Neots.

7. Who succeeded Alfred on his death in 899?

Answer: his son, Edward (known as the Elder)

Edward and his sister Aethelflaed, who ruled a sub-territory of Mercia, reconquered lands taken by the Vikings.

8. What era particularly idolised Alfred?

Answer: the Victorians

The Victorians liked Alfred as a fighter and a civilising influence.

9. How do we know so much about Alfred?

Answer: we have a biography of him

The Life was written very soon after Alfred's death by his friend Asser, bishop of Sherborne, and is funny, intimate and immediate.

10. Why is Alfred's success so remarkable?

Answer: all of these

Alfred's illness isn't specified but caused him agony. Haemorrhoids are the usual diagnosis.

Source: Author Aethelflaed

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