GCSE (9–1) HISTORY B — June 2025 PAST PAPER: Viking Expansion & The First Crusade
Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J411/31]
Exam Resource Summary
The June 2025 GCSE (9–1) History B Viking Expansion c.750–c.1050 with The First Crusade c.1070–
1100 Paper (OCR J411/31) provides a fully merged resource that integrates the complete examination
paper with its official mark scheme. This format allows learners to understand exactly how each question
is assessed, clarifying examiner expectations and highlighting the standards required for high-band
responses. This component explores the expansion of the Vikings across Europe and the historical context
and consequences of the First Crusade. Candidates are expected to analyse historical sources, evaluate
interpretations, and construct coherent, evidence-based arguments demonstrating understanding of
continuity, change, causation, and significance in historical events. By presenting each question alongside
detailed marking guidance, the resource strengthens learners’ analytical and evaluative skills, improves
the clarity and structure of written responses, and provides focused practice for high-quality historical
writing. It prepares students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE History B (Schools History Project)
examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
Viking Expansion, c.750–c.1050
Answer Questions 1 (a–c), 2 and 3.
1
(a) Give one example of a religious belief held by Vikings. [1]
(b) Name one ruler of the Viking Rus in Novgorod or Kiev between 860 and 1050. [1]
(c) Name one change Harald Bluetooth made during his rule. [1]
2 Write a clear and organised summary that analyses Viking settlement across the Atlantic
(Iceland, Greenland, North America).
Support your summary with examples. [9]
3 Why were Viking raids on Britain, Ireland and the Scottish Islands between 793 and 850 so
successful?
Explain your answer. [10]
Answer Question 4 or Question 5.
4* ‘The Volga Vikings were more successful than the Vikings who settled in the British Isles and
France.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
5* ‘Cnut’s greatest achievement was the conquest of England.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
© OCR 2025 J411/31 Jun25
, 3
Section B
The First Crusade, c.1070–1100
Answer Questions 6 and 7.
6 What can Source A tell us about the First Crusade?
Use the source and your own knowledge to support your answer. [7]
Source A
An extract from ‘On the Opening of the First Crusade’ by Ekkehard of Aurach. Ekkehard was a
monk and a strong supporter of the papacy.
Ekkehard completed an earlier version of this source in c.1100. However, in 1101 he went on a
crusade himself and visited Jerusalem. On his return, he went back over his work and rewrote it
before publishing this version.
I am very anxious to add in certain details about this crusade [the First Crusade], and I
especially want to say that this military expedition was due to God’s inspiration.
Pope Urban II encouraged men to take part by promising to forgive the sins of those men
who undertook the expedition with single-hearted devotion. Nearly 100 000 men from various
Christian lands answered this call to enter the service of God.
It was truly an army of ‘crusaders’, for they wore the sign of the cross on their clothes as a
reminder that they were doing everything for God and in the hope that they would triumph over
the enemies of Christ. In this way, through Pope Urban II’s call and promises, all these men,
so different in speech, origin, and nationality, were suddenly brought together as one body
through their love of Christ.
© OCR 2025 J411/31 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
7 How useful are Sources B and C and Interpretation D for a historian studying the Byzantine
Empire in the period before the First Crusade (c.1070–1095)?
In your answer, refer to the two sources and the interpretation as well as your own knowledge.
[15]
Source B
A description of the Byzantine capital city of Constantinople, written in the late 1000s. The writer
was from Western Europe and was probably in the city to learn the Greek language.
Constantinople is the capital of the Byzantine Empire and the most impressive city in the whole
world. It is said that a third of the gold and silver in the world is there.
When I arrived and looked around me, I was staggered by the wonderful vision of so many
amazing things: countless churches decorated inside with gold; marble palaces roofed with
lead; and statues of animals of every kind, wonderfully and skilfully made from stone or metal.
There are many thousands of men dressed in clothes made entirely of silk and also many
people of different religions and languages.
This noble city is believed to house more holy sites linked with our Lord Jesus Christ than
anywhere else in the world, and it is thus more wondrous than all other cities in the world.
Source C
An extract from historical records written in the city of Bari in southern Italy. The Normans
controlled Bari when this source was written around 1100.
Robert Guiscard was a Norman knight. The island of Corfu and the city of Durres were both part
of the Byzantine Empire at this time. Durres is a city on the mainland north of Greece.
And in the year of 1081, Duke Robert Guiscard sent ships to the island of Corfu, and captured
it. And in the month of July, Duke Robert laid siege to the city of Durres, both by land and by
sea.
Emperor Alexios gathered a large army to defend the city and began a battle with Duke
Robert. The Emperor had more than 70 000 men in his army, but over 6000 of these men fell
in battle, and he was forced to turn and flee. And in the month of January, 1082, Duke Robert
took the city of Durres.
© OCR 2025 J411/31 Jun25
Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J411/31]
Exam Resource Summary
The June 2025 GCSE (9–1) History B Viking Expansion c.750–c.1050 with The First Crusade c.1070–
1100 Paper (OCR J411/31) provides a fully merged resource that integrates the complete examination
paper with its official mark scheme. This format allows learners to understand exactly how each question
is assessed, clarifying examiner expectations and highlighting the standards required for high-band
responses. This component explores the expansion of the Vikings across Europe and the historical context
and consequences of the First Crusade. Candidates are expected to analyse historical sources, evaluate
interpretations, and construct coherent, evidence-based arguments demonstrating understanding of
continuity, change, causation, and significance in historical events. By presenting each question alongside
detailed marking guidance, the resource strengthens learners’ analytical and evaluative skills, improves
the clarity and structure of written responses, and provides focused practice for high-quality historical
writing. It prepares students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE History B (Schools History Project)
examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
Viking Expansion, c.750–c.1050
Answer Questions 1 (a–c), 2 and 3.
1
(a) Give one example of a religious belief held by Vikings. [1]
(b) Name one ruler of the Viking Rus in Novgorod or Kiev between 860 and 1050. [1]
(c) Name one change Harald Bluetooth made during his rule. [1]
2 Write a clear and organised summary that analyses Viking settlement across the Atlantic
(Iceland, Greenland, North America).
Support your summary with examples. [9]
3 Why were Viking raids on Britain, Ireland and the Scottish Islands between 793 and 850 so
successful?
Explain your answer. [10]
Answer Question 4 or Question 5.
4* ‘The Volga Vikings were more successful than the Vikings who settled in the British Isles and
France.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
5* ‘Cnut’s greatest achievement was the conquest of England.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
© OCR 2025 J411/31 Jun25
, 3
Section B
The First Crusade, c.1070–1100
Answer Questions 6 and 7.
6 What can Source A tell us about the First Crusade?
Use the source and your own knowledge to support your answer. [7]
Source A
An extract from ‘On the Opening of the First Crusade’ by Ekkehard of Aurach. Ekkehard was a
monk and a strong supporter of the papacy.
Ekkehard completed an earlier version of this source in c.1100. However, in 1101 he went on a
crusade himself and visited Jerusalem. On his return, he went back over his work and rewrote it
before publishing this version.
I am very anxious to add in certain details about this crusade [the First Crusade], and I
especially want to say that this military expedition was due to God’s inspiration.
Pope Urban II encouraged men to take part by promising to forgive the sins of those men
who undertook the expedition with single-hearted devotion. Nearly 100 000 men from various
Christian lands answered this call to enter the service of God.
It was truly an army of ‘crusaders’, for they wore the sign of the cross on their clothes as a
reminder that they were doing everything for God and in the hope that they would triumph over
the enemies of Christ. In this way, through Pope Urban II’s call and promises, all these men,
so different in speech, origin, and nationality, were suddenly brought together as one body
through their love of Christ.
© OCR 2025 J411/31 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
7 How useful are Sources B and C and Interpretation D for a historian studying the Byzantine
Empire in the period before the First Crusade (c.1070–1095)?
In your answer, refer to the two sources and the interpretation as well as your own knowledge.
[15]
Source B
A description of the Byzantine capital city of Constantinople, written in the late 1000s. The writer
was from Western Europe and was probably in the city to learn the Greek language.
Constantinople is the capital of the Byzantine Empire and the most impressive city in the whole
world. It is said that a third of the gold and silver in the world is there.
When I arrived and looked around me, I was staggered by the wonderful vision of so many
amazing things: countless churches decorated inside with gold; marble palaces roofed with
lead; and statues of animals of every kind, wonderfully and skilfully made from stone or metal.
There are many thousands of men dressed in clothes made entirely of silk and also many
people of different religions and languages.
This noble city is believed to house more holy sites linked with our Lord Jesus Christ than
anywhere else in the world, and it is thus more wondrous than all other cities in the world.
Source C
An extract from historical records written in the city of Bari in southern Italy. The Normans
controlled Bari when this source was written around 1100.
Robert Guiscard was a Norman knight. The island of Corfu and the city of Durres were both part
of the Byzantine Empire at this time. Durres is a city on the mainland north of Greece.
And in the year of 1081, Duke Robert Guiscard sent ships to the island of Corfu, and captured
it. And in the month of July, Duke Robert laid siege to the city of Durres, both by land and by
sea.
Emperor Alexios gathered a large army to defend the city and began a battle with Duke
Robert. The Emperor had more than 70 000 men in his army, but over 6000 of these men fell
in battle, and he was forced to turn and flee. And in the month of January, 1082, Duke Robert
took the city of Durres.
© OCR 2025 J411/31 Jun25
