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From World Wars to the World Wide Web: Kids Reveal Top 10 Moments That Go Down In English History
English Heritage inspires the nation’s kids as it marks the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings
English Heritage – the charity that looks after over 400 historic sites across England – reveals the top 10 most important moments in English history, as chosen by children across the country.
The new research of 1,000 children has been specially commissioned to mark the 950th anniversary of 1066, one of the most momentous dates in English history with the Battle of Hastings and the Norman conquest of England.
From the coronation of William the Conqueror to the invention of the World Wide Web, the past 950 years have witnessed many major moments that have shaped English history.
The top 10 moments in English history, as chosen by kids, are:
- William the Conqueror defeats Harold at the Battle of Hastings and becomes King of England – 1066
- The sealing of the Magna Carta – 1215
- The Black Death plague arrives in England – 1346
- The Wars of the Roses begin – 1455
- William Shakespeare is born – 1564
- Guy Fawkes and The Gunpowder Plot are discovered – 1605
- The Battle of Waterloo – 1815
- Queen Victoria becomes Queen – 1837
- V-E Day marks the end of the Second World War – 1945
- Tim Berners-Lee invents the World Wide Web – 1989
Marking the anniversary of 1066, the survey also questioned kids and their parents on their historical knowledge from the past 950 years.
It appears kids’ knowledge of history is ‘textbook’, with over half (52%) polled correctly naming castles as one of the things the Normans were famous for bringing to England, versus just 45% of parents. Ten per cent of parents even stated that the Normans were most famous for bringing chocolate to our shores.
Parents appear to have forgotten a few things since leaving the classroom as over a third (39%) couldn’t correctly answer how many wives Henry VIII had. And when it comes to identifying famous faces from history, kids are just as clued up as their parents, with two thirds (66%) correctly identifying an image of Queen Elizabeth I respectively.
Kate Mavor, English Heritage’s Chief Executive, said: “950 years after the momentous Battle of Hastings, we asked children to tell us what they thought the most important events in English history were. From 1066 to today, their choices are fascinating and inspiring. We also found that in our history quiz, when it comes to knowing their Kings and Queens, children give their parents a run for their money.
“From the 1066 battlefield to Queen Victoria’s home, we’re inviting both young and old to visit our sites this summer and see where history really happened.”
As part of English Heritage’s 1066: Year of the Normans campaign, much-loved children’s author and illustrator Liz Pichon will create a kids-sourced 21st century version of the Bayeux Tapestry , inspired by the top historical moments chosen by the nation’s budding historians.
Liz’s 21st century take on the Bayeux Tapestry will be revealed in the summer and kids will have the chance to submit their own illustrations to complete the tenth and final panel. Liz will also be leading children’s illustration workshops at English Heritage sites across the country this summer.
Liz Pichon, author of the best-selling Tom Gates series, adds: “It’s great to see children so clued up on history. Their choices are inspiring and I can’t wait to start drawing and bringing these moments to life. English Heritage’s Summer of 1066 promises to be fantastic fun and I’m delighted to be part of it.”
For more information on the Bayeux Tapestry campaign and to find out how you can get involved this summer, visit: www.english-heritage.org.uk/toptenmoments
