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Thomas Costain Trivia Quizzes

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Thomas B. Costain wrote works of both historical fiction (such as "The Silver Chalice") and historical non-fiction (such as his series "The Plantagenets", also known as "The Pageant of England").
4 Thomas Costain quizzes and 40 Thomas Costain trivia questions.
1.
  "The Three Edwards" by Thomas B. Costain   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is the third of four chronologically in a series on Plantagenet history. This is a fantastic tale and a terrific read.
Average, 10 Qns, mlcmlc, Apr 30 12
Average
mlcmlc gold member
276 plays
2.
  "The Last Plantagenets" by Thomas B. Costain   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is the fourth and last chronologically in a series on Plantagenet history. This is a fantastic tale and a terrific read.
Average, 10 Qns, mlcmlc, May 31 18
Average
mlcmlc gold member
May 31 18
351 plays
3.
  "The Conquering Family" by Thomas B. Costain   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is the first of four chronologically in a series on Plantagenet history. This is a fantastic tale and a terrific read.
Average, 10 Qns, mlcmlc, Apr 30 12
Average
mlcmlc gold member
305 plays
4.
  "The Magnificent Century" by Thomas B. Costain    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is the second of four chronologically in a series on Plantagenet history. This is a fantastic tale and a terrific read.
Average, 10 Qns, mlcmlc, Apr 30 12
Average
mlcmlc gold member
292 plays
Related Topics
  Historical Literature [Literature] (5 quizzes)

  Historical Fiction [Literature] (5 quizzes)

  Non-Fiction [Literature] (85 quizzes)


Thomas Costain Trivia Questions
1. The Black Prince knew he was dying. What did he do to assure that his son, Richard of Bordeaux, would succeed to the throne when Edward III died?

From Quiz "The Last Plantagenets" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: had his brother and father swear to Richard's succession

When Edward, the Black Prince, was dying he wanted to ensure that his son would be crowned upon the death of the current king, Edward III, his father. Edward III was under the influence of Alice Perrers, his mistress, and John of Lancaster (or John of Gaunt as he is referred to now) was more in his favor. Both men swore fealty to Richard. The Black Prince died in June 1376, and Edward III died in February 1377. Richard II, at ten years of age, was crowned King.

2. When King John died on October 19, 1216, it was decided that his son Henry, at the age of nine, should be crowned king. Who was selected to act as regent?

From Quiz "The Magnificent Century" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: William Marshal

Before dying King John requested that William Marshal become the regent, stating, "In his loyalty, above that of any other man, I put my trust". Marshall wanted to rest and take his peace at home for his last years, but, in the end, agreed to act as regent.

3. During the Welsh wars Edward I was fighting Llewelyn ab Gruffydd and his brother David. Llewelyn was killed in battle and his brother David was captured. His punishment was to be hanged, drawn and quartered. What had been his crime?

From Quiz "The Three Edwards" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: treason

It is possible that this punishment, though often in use later, was created for David. He had been on the side of the English, then switched to his brother's side, and he was considered a double traitor. The punishment was to be dragged at the heels of a horse to the site of the execution, hanged but cut down before consciousness was lost, entrails to be cut out, head chopped off, and then his body to be divided into four parts.

4. Though Henry III had looked for marriage partners, he was not married until he was twenty nine, to Eleanor from Provence. She had written a long and romantic poem which stirred his interest when forwarded to Henry. What nickname was she known by?

From Quiz "The Magnificent Century" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: Eleanor La Belle

Eleanor and Henry were married at Dover on January 4, 1236. They did not meet until she landed on English soil. Throughout her reign she did not like her English subjects, and was very critical and condescending, but Henry remained besotted. Her subjects didn't like her either, and even once went so far as to throw things at her and the ship she used to try an escape on the Thames.

5. Eleanor of Aquitaine bore King Henry II eight children. But this was her second marriage, and she had born three daughters to her first husband. Who was her first husband?

From Quiz "The Conquering Family" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: Louis VII of France

Louis gave Eleanor back her marriage portion when the marriage was over. Approximately two months later Eleanor and Henry were married.

6. During the majority of Richard II's reign, three of his royal uncles added to the confusion of his reign. Which one of the uncles was so hated by the people that one of his homes, the Savoy, was destroyed by fire during the Peasant Revolt?

From Quiz "The Last Plantagenets" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: John of Gaunt

John had been a favorite of their father, Edward III, and was a very rich and powerful man. He was a traveler, and brought back many items that were also destroyed when the Savoy burned. He longed for a crown, but his efforts at claiming the Castilian throne were unsuccessful. Lionel of Antwerp died in 1368, soon after Richard took the crown. Not much is mentioned of Edmund of Langley. Thomas of Woodstock was of the belief that he should have been the English king, and made sure that all knew it.

7. Though Edward I thought that Scotland was subdued, William Wallace continued to harass the English. Where did Wallace fight and win a battle against a much larger English army in 1297?

From Quiz "The Three Edwards" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: Stirling Bridge

The English had superior numbers and clearly expected to win without much trouble, but Wallace used cunning strategy to defeat the English. He continued to skirmish with the English armies. The barons fought among themselves and would not follow Wallace because he was base-born.

8. During Henry III's reign all five of William Marshal's sons died without issue. Many believed that this was due to a curse issued during a long-term property dispute in Ireland. Who cursed William Marshal's offspring?

From Quiz "The Magnificent Century" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: Bishop of Ferns

Marshal seized the property during a war effort, but the Bishop disagreed. After Marshal's death, Henry III intervened to attempt to get the Marshal's sons to cede the property. His sons were not amenable to "giving back" the property. The Bishop then cursed them, saying that they would die in Henry's lifetime with no issue. William, the eldest, died of intestinal issues. Richard was attacked in Ireland after a truce and died from his wounds. Gilbert attended an illegal tournament and fell from his horse. Walter and Anselm died within a month of each other of unknown causes. None left children behind.

9. Simon de Montforte came to England in 1229 to recover estates given to Ranulf of Chester during King John's reign. How were they recovered?

From Quiz "The Magnificent Century" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: Ranulf of Chester gave them back

Ranulf of Chester and Simon campaigned together when Henry III made an unsuccessful effort to regain lands in France. Once they returned to England, Chester began working on transferring the properties back to Simon; on January 7, 1238, Henry III ceded the estates back to Simon.

10. King Henry II had grand ambitions, one of which was to have each of his boy children become kings of his empire. This was, in part, the reason for his incursion into Ireland. Which of his sons was to be proclaimed King of Ireland?

From Quiz "The Conquering Family" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: John

The coronation for John never took place. The Irish kings joined forces in rebellion and John retreated back to England.

11. Henry IV took the crown from Richard II in 1399. During his reign Rome was becoming more concerned about the spread of Lollardy. What punishment for heresy was put in place and first carried out during his reign?

From Quiz "The Last Plantagenets" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: burning at the stake

William Sawtree, a curate from St. Bennet Sheerhog, was the first to be punished in this manner. He had been charged with heresy and recanted, but it was determined that he had relapsed. He was burned in chains as an example to all heretics. Henry IV was the son of John of Gaunt, and the first King from the house of Lancaster. He was sickly during his reign, and had several acute episodes of what was called leprosy, though it is speculated today that the troubles could have been heart related.

12. During the last sixteen years of his life, King Henry II fought battles with his sons and their allies over the control of many of his lands. Which of his legitimate sons were still alive at his death?

From Quiz "The Conquering Family" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: Richard and John

Henry and Eleanor's children, in birth order, were William, Henry, Richard, Geoffrey, John, Matilda, Eleanor and Joan. William died a toddler. Henry and Geoffrey died during the sixteen years of war with their father.

13. Henry V, after many negotiations with the French was at last to marry Katherine, the daughter of King Charles VI and Queen Isabeau of France. He broke many traditions when they were betrothed. Why were they not wed at the cathedral of Troyes?

From Quiz "The Last Plantagenets" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: Henry, wandering, found and preferred a quaint church.

Henry was betrothed to the Fair Kate the second time they met, with negotiations over the lands of France continuing. Henry arrived in full armor and placed the ring belonging to successive English Queens on Kate's finger. In addition, he appointed an English knight to be her guard while she remained in France. The wedding took place at St. Jean, a church that Henry had found while wandering. Apparently he liked the quaintness and the ivy on the walls, and pictured their troth in a friendly chapel.

14. Edward II was deposed in 1327. Who was responsible for this?

From Quiz "The Three Edwards" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: Queen Isabella, his consort

Isabella and her paramour, Roger Mortimer, had raised forces in the Low Countries. They landed in England on September 24, 1326, and captured the king on November 16th. He was officially deposed on January 20, 1327. He was moved many times to prevent the possibility of rescue and finally, he was killed on October 11 of the same year.

15. When Henry II died, what was one of the first things that Richard I accomplished as heir presumptive?

From Quiz "The Conquering Family" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: free his mother, Eleanor

One of Richard's first acts was to free his mother from sixteen years of incarceration at Winchester. Henry had her guarded there to stop her from conspiring with their sons. Her imprisonment is cited as one of the reasons Richard and his father could not reconcile. Then Richard began finding money for the Crusade and he managed to marry Berengaria.

16. On March 8, 1265, a parliament which was to become known as "The Great Parliament" met. King Henry III and the barons, including Simon de Montfort, were in attendance. Why is this known as "The Great Parliament"?

From Quiz "The Magnificent Century" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: For the first time the common man was present.

Simon was at the peak of his power at this time; although he did not participate in the ceremony, it had been scripted beforehand. He had invited common men from all the major towns and boroughs participate for the first time. All of the other items were also agreed at the parliament, but they are not why it is called "The Great Parliament".

17. During Edward IV's reign he became convinced that, although his brother, George, Duke of Clarence, had helped him attain the throne, he was now involved in a plot of treason. George was executed, but what story was circulated about his execution?

From Quiz "The Last Plantagenets" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: drowned in a butt of malmsey

The execution took place on the seventeenth or eighteenth of February. The story circulated that Clarence had requested, and been granted, the drowning in a butt of malmsey (a large cask of a sweet white wine) as the execution method.

18. Edward III would fight many battles in his quest to claim the throne of France. At which battle did he give his son Edward the infamous black armor and so anger Phillip VI that the English easily defeated the much larger French forces?

From Quiz "The Three Edwards" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: Battle of Crécy

Edward was displaying a banner that included the leopards of England and the lilies of France. This so enraged Phillip that he went precipitously into battle although his soldiers were exhausted from the march. Edward had placed the archers at extreme advantage, and they able to hold off any French advance by means of their swift and accurate arrows.

19. Richard I, knowing John's perfidious nature, had thought to leave the kingdom to his nephew, born of Geoffrey. This however, was not done and the kingdom was left to John. Geoffrey's son did however try to claim the throne. What was his name?

From Quiz "The Conquering Family" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: Arthur

John captured Arthur, and demanded that he swear fealty. Arthur would not and John responded by ordering that his eyes be put out. His guard did not carry out the order, but put out that Arthur had died during the attempt. This caused a furor and the child had to be produced to prove that he was alive. Thereafter, John had him sent to Rouen and he was never seen again.

20. During which battle in 1485 did Richard III, the last of the Plantagenet dynasty, die defending his crown?

From Quiz "The Last Plantagenets" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: Battle of Bosworth Field

The battle was fought between Richard III and Henry Tudor, who became King Henry VII and the first of the Tudor dynasty. Since that time many historians, scholars, and others such as William Shakespeare, have blamed Richard for a number of felonious deeds. The last portion of the book discusses the belief that because Richard lost and died during the Battle of Bosworth Field, that the history written at the behest of Henry VII told the victor's story, not the truth.

21. Edward III married Philippa of Hainault in 1327. Their first male child was Edward, also known as the Black Prince. Why did the Black Prince never claim the throne?

From Quiz "The Three Edwards" by Thomas B. Costain

Answer: he predeceased Edward III

Edward, the Black Prince, was sick for many years, though no one knew why he was sick. It was at the Battle of Crécy that his father gave him the black armor which was to earn him the sobriquet of the Black Prince. He died in 1376, and his father, Edward III, died in 1377.

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