FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about The Conquering Family by Thomas B Costain
Quiz about The Conquering Family by Thomas B Costain

"The Conquering Family" by Thomas B. Costain Quiz

This is the first of four chronologically in a series on Plantagenet history. This is a fantastic tale and a terrific read.

A multiple-choice quiz by mlcmlc. Estimated time: 5 mins.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Literature Trivia
  6. »
  7. Authors A-C
  8. »
  9. Thomas Costain

Author
mlcmlc
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
341,398
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
305
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. The Plantagenet history begins with a young man who frequently sported a sprig of yellow gorse, planta genesta, in his cap. Which of these men is responsible for the name Plantagenet? Hint


NEXT>

Question 2 of 10
2. Though King Henry I made it clear that his intent was to have his daughter, the Empress Matilda, succeed him on the throne, Stephen of Blois seized the throne and the treasury. This precipitated civil war for many years. How was a resolution reached? Hint


NEXT>

Question 3 of 10
3. 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? Hint


NEXT>

Question 4 of 10
4. King Henry II met Thomas à Becket in the first year of his reign. For many years, while Becket held the post of Chancellor, the two strong-willed men worked companionably together to improve England. What caused the split between them, and was the eventual catalyst for the words Henry spoke which caused Becket's death? Hint


NEXT>

Question 5 of 10
5. 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? Hint


NEXT>

Question 6 of 10
6. 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? Hint


NEXT>

Question 7 of 10
7. When Henry II died, what was one of the first things that Richard I accomplished as heir presumptive? Hint


NEXT>

Question 8 of 10
8. Richard I was a popular man in England, despite wringing every possible cent for the Crusade and other campaigns. Which one of these names was NOT one he was known by? Hint


NEXT>

Question 9 of 10
9. 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? Hint


NEXT>

Question 10 of 10
10. When Hubert Walter, Archbishop of Canterbury, died, Pope Innocent III elected an Englishman as the new Archbishop. John refused him entrance to England and thus England was placed under ban and then John was excommunicated. Who was the Englishman appointed Archbishop? Hint



(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The Plantagenet history begins with a young man who frequently sported a sprig of yellow gorse, planta genesta, in his cap. Which of these men is responsible for the name Plantagenet?

Answer: Geoffrey, son of the Count of Anjou

 Geoffrey would not be the first of the Plantagenet kings, but he married Matilda, daughter of Henry I and once the Empress of Germany, after her husband perished. Their son, Henry, would become the first of the Plantagenet kings.
2. Though King Henry I made it clear that his intent was to have his daughter, the Empress Matilda, succeed him on the throne, Stephen of Blois seized the throne and the treasury. This precipitated civil war for many years. How was a resolution reached?

Answer: treaty

 Stephen and Matilda settled the issue with the Treaty of Wallingford. The treaty stated that Stephen would remain king for his lifetime, at which time Henry, son of Matilda and Geoffrey, the Count of Anjou, would become king. Stephen did not live long after the agreement and Henry II was crowned at the age of 21.
3. 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?

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.
4. King Henry II met Thomas à Becket in the first year of his reign. For many years, while Becket held the post of Chancellor, the two strong-willed men worked companionably together to improve England. What caused the split between them, and was the eventual catalyst for the words Henry spoke which caused Becket's death?

Answer: Becket accepted the post of Archbishop of Canterbury

 When Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, died in 1162, Henry's intent was to have a man he liked and trusted, Becket, fulfill the posts of Chancellor and Archbishop of Canterbury. Becket once warned him that this would not work, saying "If you do as you say, you will soon hate me, my lord King, as much as you love me now", but in the end, Becket took the post of Archbishop and resigned as Chancellor. Thus began a struggle between the two men concerning supremacy of church or state.
5. 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?

Answer: John

 The coronation for John never took place. The Irish kings joined forces in rebellion and John retreated back to England.
6. 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?

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

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.
8. Richard I was a popular man in England, despite wringing every possible cent for the Crusade and other campaigns. Which one of these names was NOT one he was known by?

Answer: Richard, the Wealthy

 Richard had earned the title Coeur de Lion for his looks and bravery. He was given the name "Richard Yea or Nay" by Betran de Born because of his inconsistency in the fights with his father and siblings. The Saracens called him Melich-Ric because of his battle strength and smarts during the Crusade.
9. 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?

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.
10. When Hubert Walter, Archbishop of Canterbury, died, Pope Innocent III elected an Englishman as the new Archbishop. John refused him entrance to England and thus England was placed under ban and then John was excommunicated. Who was the Englishman appointed Archbishop?

Answer: Stephen Langton

 Langton was instrumental in uniting the barons who eventually forced John to sign the Magna Charta. John signed because he had been backed into a corner and saw no choice, but he had every intention of coming back to fight another day.
Source: Author mlcmlc

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Related Quizzes
This quiz is part of series Costain's Plantagenets:

A series of the four books written by Thomas Costain on the Plantagenets

  1. "The Conquering Family" by Thomas B. Costain Average
  2. "The Magnificent Century" by Thomas B. Costain Average
  3. "The Three Edwards" by Thomas B. Costain Average
  4. "The Last Plantagenets" by Thomas B. Costain Average

Also part of quiz list
Referenced Topics
Literature   History   Vocabulary   England   Names   Ireland   English People   France   Germany   Lions   Irish: Famous & Historical   Thomas Costain   Richard I   Henry II  

Other Destinations
  Explore Other Quizzes by mlcmlc

  Go to Authors A-C Quizzes

  More Costain, Thomas Quizzes

  FunTrivia Homepage

4/18/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us