British Citizenship Test

Who became the first monarch of a unified England?

1. Alfred the Great

2. Henry II

3. Edward I

4. Elizabeth I

The correct answer is: Alfred the Great

The first monarch of a unified England is Alfred the Great. He ruled from 871 to 899 and is best known for his defense against Viking invasions, which played a crucial role in unifying various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. His leadership and military strategy helped to consolidate power and establish a sense of unity among the Anglo-Saxon territories, ultimately setting the foundation for what would become the Kingdom of England. Other choices, while significant figures in English history, do not represent the point at which England was unified under a single ruler. Henry II, for instance, was a powerful king who ruled in the 12th century and is known for his legal reforms and establishment of common law, but he oversaw a period when various territories still had different allegiances. Edward I is noted for his efforts to integrate Wales and parts of Scotland into his realm during the late 13th century, while Elizabeth I ruled in the 16th century and is celebrated for her role during the Elizabethan Era, which was a time of cultural flourishing and religious conflict rather than unification.