Key history dates for the Life in the UK Test
Updated 2026-10-31 · Unofficial guide · Always confirm details with GOV.UK
The history chapter is where most marks are lost. This revision list covers widely known dates that appear in the handbook's history chapter — always check them against your copy of the official handbook.
Medieval to Tudor
- 1066 – Battle of Hastings; William of Normandy becomes king.
- 1215 – Magna Carta agreed by King John.
- 1314 – Battle of Bannockburn (Scotland).
- 1415 – Battle of Agincourt.
- 1485 – Henry VII; start of the Tudor period.
1600s–1800s
- 1588 – Defeat of the Spanish Armada.
- 1603 – Union of the Crowns under James VI/I.
- 1649 – Execution of Charles I.
- 1688 – Glorious Revolution.
- 1707 – Act of Union: Kingdom of Great Britain.
- 1801 – Union with Ireland.
- 1807 – Abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire.
20th century
- 1914–1918 – First World War.
- 1918 / 1928 – Women's voting rights (over 30, then equal with men).
- 1939–1945 – Second World War.
- 1948 – NHS founded.
How to memorise dates
Group dates by century, link them to a person, and quiz yourself with practice by handbook chapter on the history chapter.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need to memorise every date in the handbook?
Focus on major events and dates the handbook emphasises; practice questions show which come up most.
Are these dates from the official handbook?
They are well-established historical dates covered in the handbook's history chapter; check them against your edition.
Official sources
Not affiliated with the Home Office or the official Life in the UK Test. Official rules, fees and booking can change — check GOV.UK before you book.