Scots are past masters on British history

Published on Sunday 17 August 2008 22:09

SCOTS know more about British history than other people in the rest of the UK, a survey has found.

A test to rate how well Britons know their history also confirmed that younger people know far less than those aged over 65.

Ten multiple-choice historical questions, ranging from "When was the Battle of Hastings?" to "Which two kingdoms were merged in the Act of Union of 1707?" were put to 1,000 people.

Scots scored an average of 69 per cent, compared to the national average of 63 per cent. The Welsh managed only 58 per cent.

The over-65s managed 78 per cent on the ten questions, which spanned British history from the time of the first Roman invasion to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

Those aged 18-24 scored just 49 per cent, while 25 to 34-year-olds fared little better on 51 per cent.

Historian Tom Devine, professor at the University of Edinburgh, said the recent growth in a sense of Scottish identity, merged with an ignorance of Scottish history because of poor education in the 1960s and 1970s, might be boosting an interest in history in the country.

He said: "This quiz tests specific facts and that is important, but it's very basic. What's important is interpretation, explanation, trying to find out why things came about the way they have.

"The past becomes increasingly intriguing as people mature. I don't get the same sense of enthusiasm from the younger population."

A full 96 per cent of those surveyed knew when the Battle of Hastings took place. But only half knew who was prime minister when the Good Friday Agreement was signed.

The survey also revealed men have more historical knowledge than women, with an average score of 70 per cent compared to 57 per cent.

Less than one person in ten scored 100 per cent on the quiz, carried out by ICM on behalf of the History Channel in advance of a series entitled 50 Things You Should Know About British History.

Historian Dominic Sandbrook said: "It's heartening that after decades of politically driven teaching and Mickey Mouse empathy exercises, most people still have a vague idea of what happened when. That suggests an enduring appetite for history in general, and for the rich drama of our national story in particular." A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Clearly, our education system is equipping Scots with a sound knowledge of history. What's particularly significant about this poll is that, despite many of these questions being solely about English history, Scots were more likely to know the answers than their counterparts in England.

"To build on the knowledge and interest that already exists, this government wants the teaching of Scottish history to be an important part of the history curriculum, so all children are better able to appreciate Scotland's fascinating past and our place in the modern world."