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Renaissance History Trivia

Renaissance History Trivia Quizzes

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11 Renaissance History quizzes and 125 Renaissance History trivia questions.
1.
We Need A Rebirth
  We Need A Rebirth!   best quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Let's take a look at the conditions in Italy that led to the beginning of the Renaissance. You may be surprised!
Average, 10 Qns, ponycargirl, Feb 27 16
Average
ponycargirl editor
594 plays
2.
The Rebirth is Here
  The Rebirth is Here!   great trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
The fall of Rome ushered in a new age - a long, difficult period called the Middle Ages. It had to have been exciting to finally see a change coming! What do you know about the beginning of the Renaissance?
Average, 10 Qns, ponycargirl, Mar 28 16
Average
ponycargirl editor
549 plays
3.
  Tudor Clothing   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Tudor clothing is notorious for its bulkiness and ridiculous appearance. Several layers were required to create a perfect Tudor outfit. Do you know how to dress like a Tudor?
Average, 10 Qns, princess_1990, Apr 13 08
Average
princess_1990
2207 plays
4.
  Ancient to Renaissance History   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This is a quiz I made from a review packet for one of my exams. Please tell me if you think something is wrong.
Average, 15 Qns, BroadwayBaby87, Sep 11 13
Average
BroadwayBaby87
3545 plays
5.
  Operatic History - the Sixteenth Century   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
Here's another instalment in my series about operas and musical theatre plays named after historical events and people. As always, the operatic background was provided by "The Great Opera Book" and www.operone.de.
Average, 20 Qns, JanIQ, May 20 15
Average
JanIQ gold member
875 plays
6.
  Renaissance Women    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is for those with a penchant for older women, or who just like history. Most of these women are associated with politics, but some female artists are included as well. My sources are the Encyclopaedia Britannica and Wikipedia.
Average, 10 Qns, queenofsheba, Oct 08 07
Average
queenofsheba
1198 plays
7.
  European History, 16th century    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Not so easy, but I hope it's fun: test your knowledge of 16th century European history.
Average, 10 Qns, Temerity, Dec 12 13
Average
Temerity
2477 plays
8.
  The Borgias   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How much do you know about this notorious Renaissance family?
Tough, 10 Qns, edinbork, Jun 22 08
Tough
edinbork
992 plays
9.
  Felice della Rovere: The Pope's Daughter    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
She was a Renaissance woman (c.1483-Sept. 27, 1536) who was the matriarch of a family and not a monarch. Her story was nearly lost to history, but due to extensive documentation, she has been brought to life once again.
Tough, 10 Qns, Elaine37, Mar 17 13
Tough
Elaine37 gold member
214 plays
10.
  Renaissance - Missing Links    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about great personalities of the Renaissance and their famous creations. Each question lists a series of words or names that have a common bound and this should be your guide in selecting the 'missing link'.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Mr5, Mar 11 11
Difficult
Mr5
1763 plays
trivia question Quick Question
Most men wore a hat of some kind every day. This type of hat was very common at the Tudor court, and was a personal favorite of Henry VIII.

From Quiz "Tudor Clothing"




11.
  European History: Renaissance Timeline    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Following is a quiz covering various aspects of The Renaissance, which spanned from approximately 1400-1600.
Difficult, 10 Qns, ravenskye, Sep 27 19
Difficult
ravenskye
Sep 27 19
3164 plays

Renaissance History Trivia Questions

1. Felice della Rovere's father was which pope?

From Quiz
Felice della Rovere: The Pope's Daughter

Answer: Pope Julius II

Pope Julius II, her father, commissioned Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel. Pope Sixtus IV was her uncle, Francisco della Rovere. The infamous Borgia Pope Alexander VI had children, as did his predecessor Innocent VIII. This was a magnificent and often corrupt period of church history. These papal children were conceived when their fathers were cardinals.

2. What name did Alonso Borgia take when he became the first Borgia pope in 1455?

From Quiz The Borgias

Answer: Calixtus III

He was Rodrigo Borgia's uncle, and made his nephew a cardinal in 1456.

3. Hoods were worn most of the time by noble women during the early half of the sixteenth century. Anne Boleyn made what type of hood famous?

From Quiz Tudor Clothing

Answer: French hood

Until the mid 1520s, gable hoods were in style. Gable hoods were pentagon-shaped, with a long veil down the back. Anne Boleyn brought the French hood back from France with her and it quickly took hold at the English court. This hood was rounder, and sat farther back on the head to reveal more hair. Wealthy women could afford to adorn it with jewels or gold embroidery. Of the wives of Henry VIII, Katherine of Aragon and Jane Seymour preferred the gable hood, while Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard preferred the French hood.

4. Henry VIII had six wives. Which was the mother of Edward VI?

From Quiz Renaissance Women

Answer: Jane Seymour

Jane Seymour (1508[?] - 24 October 1537) was his third wife. She died after giving birth to the later Edward VI. Katherine of Aragon was the mother of Mary I, Anne Boleyn was the mother of Elizabeth I.

5. Sir Julius Benedict composed in 1830 an opera named "I Portughesi in Goa" ("The Portuguese in Goa"). Indeed, Portugal occupied a colony in the Indian region of Goa from 1510 until 1962. Who was the first commander at Goa?

From Quiz Operatic History - the Sixteenth Century

Answer: Alfonso d'Albuquerque

Benedict (1804-1885) was born in Stuttgart (Germany) and died in London. He composed six operas and two operettas. D'Albuquerque (1453-1515) was the first leader of the important colony of Goa. The others are no Portuguese colonists, but Italian and Spanish adventurers. By the way, the first Archbishop of Goa was another member of the d'Albuquerque family: Joao Alfonso was prelate of Goa from 1538 until 1553. Vespucci (1451-1512) was an Italian who proved that Columbus had found a new continent, and not an already known country. In honour of Vespucci a German cartographer named the continent after Vespucci's Christian name. Pigafetta (1491-1534) was an Italian who sailed with Magellan. He was one of the eighteen survivors of this first trip around the world, completed by Elcano. Pizarro (about 1471-1541) was a Spanish conquistador. He conquered the Inca Empire in 1532 and founded the city of Lima in 1535.

6. What was the period in Roman History from about 27 B.C. to 180 A.D. called?

From Quiz Ancient to Renaissance History

Answer: Pax Romana

The Pax Romana started when Augustus Caesar became the emperor, therefore making Rome an Empire. During the Pax Romana the 5 "good emperors" ruled. There were many developments in lifestyles, and the Roman alphabet became the basis for the western world's alphabet.

7. Francesco Petrarch - Erasmus - Thomas Morus - Leonardo Bruni - John Colet - Guillaume Bude - ?

From Quiz Renaissance - Missing Links

Answer: Pico della Mirandola

There wouldn't have been a Renaissance without the humanists and their innovative ideas. They rediscovered Antiquity and set the place of the human being in the center of the world, thus closing the dark chapter of the Middle Ages. The new concepts promoted by Italian humanists like Petrarch, Bruni, Mirandola or Machiavelli were rapidly assimilated by Northern Europe's thinkers and writers.

8. When did Martin Luther nail his "Ninety-Five Theses" on to the door of the main church in Wittenberg?

From Quiz European History, 16th century

Answer: 1517

The "theses" were essentially a list a propositions (including grievances) for public debate. This action of his sparked off what was to become the Reformation.

9. The powerful Medici family in Florence became bankers to the Pope in what year?

From Quiz European History: Renaissance Timeline

Answer: 1414

The Medicis began their rise to power at the very beginning of the Renaissance.

10. What part of Spain was originally home to the Borgia (or Borja) family?

From Quiz The Borgias

Answer: Xativa, Catalonia

Alexander VI and his children continued to speak the Valencian (Catalonian) dialect in private when they lived in Rome.

11. The bodice went around what area of the body?

From Quiz Tudor Clothing

Answer: Chest and waist

The bodice was worn by women, and was similar to a corset, though it was worn over the clothes. It had no sleeves, and was tied tightly. It made the top half of the body look smaller, in contrast to the voluminous skirt beneath.

12. Who was beheaded on February 8, 1587, and inspired Friedrich Schiller to write a play about her?

From Quiz Renaissance Women

Answer: Mary Queen of Scots

Mary I of Scotland was convicted of treason for being involved in a plot to kill Elizabeth I, Queen of England. She claimed the English throne because Henry VII was her great-grandfather. (Her father was James V of Scotland, her grandmother was Margaret Tudor.) Friedrich Schiller's drama "Maria Stuart" written by in 1801. (Schiller includes a dramatic confrontation between the two queens, but this is poetic licence as in fact the two queens never set eyes on one another).

13. Where was the famous battle between Marc Antony and Augustus?

From Quiz Ancient to Renaissance History

Answer: Actium

This battle took place in 31 B.C. off the West coast of Greece. Octavian became Rome's first emperor, and Augustus after defeating Marc Antony and Cleopatra's joint forces.

14. Pope Nicolas V - Lorenzo de Medici - Pope Julius II - Pope Leon X - Francis I - Margaret of Navarre - ?

From Quiz Renaissance - Missing Links

Answer: Ludovico Sforza

Popes, kings, noblemen, influential members of the rich merchant class - these were the maecenases of the Renaissance period. Thanks to their vanity and their love for beauty the patrons of the arts would always show their support, admiration and protection to the talented artists. Prominent among the promoters of the movement were the rich Medici (Lorenzo and Cosimo) and Sforza families. Since the time of Pope Nicolas V, also the church had been directly involved in sustaining the arts. Their example was followed by other European rulers like Francis I in France, or his sister - Margaret of Navarre.

15. When did Elizabeth I reign in England?

From Quiz European History, 16th century

Answer: 1558-1603

Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, succeeded her half-sister, Mary Tudor (known as Bloody Mary for her sweeping persecution of Protestants), and was in turn succeeded by her cousin Mary Stuart's son, James (I of England, VI of Scotland), whose accession to the English throne was the stepping stone to the unification of England and Scotland.

16. Who took Orleans from the English in 1429?

From Quiz European History: Renaissance Timeline

Answer: Joan of Arc

17. There is a famous painting of Felicia. Who painted it?

From Quiz Felice della Rovere: The Pope's Daughter

Answer: Raphael

The painting hangs in the Vatican apartments and shows a lovely young woman turned toward the Pope as he is saying Mass. There are other masterpieces of that era that are thought to be Felicia.

18. To the king of which country was Mary Tudor, Queen of England, married?

From Quiz Renaissance Women

Answer: Spain

She married Philip II of Spain in 1554. He was eleven years younger. They were both Catholic, and she had about 300 Protestants ('heretics') executed, including Sir Thomas Wyatt and Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. This gave her the nickname Bloody Mary. She was the daughter of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon.

19. Who wrote the medieval stories entitled "The Canterbury Tales"?

From Quiz Ancient to Renaissance History

Answer: Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer wrote the Canterbury tales after 1387. It is an unfinished poem in which the various members of a group of pilgrims journeying from London to the shrine of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury each tells a story in verse.

20. Fra Angelico - Tommaso Masaccio - Piero della Francesca - Giovanni Bellini - Luca Signorelli - Filippino Lippi - Sandro Botticelli - ?

From Quiz Renaissance - Missing Links

Answer: Andrea Mantegna

The 'Quatrocento' period gravitates around the city of Florence, under the brilliant patronage and protection of Lorenzo de Medici - the Magnificent. Although Florence had the leading painting school in this period (Fra Angelico, Masaccio, Castagno, Botticelli, Lippi) several other schools asserted themselves throughout Italy: Umbria (Signorelli, Della Francesca), Padova (Mantegna), Venice (Bellini, Carpacio).

21. What was invented by Gutenberg in 1436?

From Quiz European History: Renaissance Timeline

Answer: Moveable type

This revolutionized education as more books were readily available.

22. Felicia married into a wealthy and prominent family. The name of that family was:

From Quiz Felice della Rovere: The Pope's Daughter

Answer: Orsini

It was a marriage arranged by her father, the pope. The Orsini family was one of the most prominent families in Italy for many generations. She was previously married and widowed as a young teenager. Georgio Orsini was 20 years older than Felice and she was only 20 when they married. The marriage was consummated within 15 minutes of the wedding ceremony with the guests keeping time, apparently. This was a practice to insure that an annulment could not be claimed. All kinds of mental images come to mind as to how you time 15 minutes in the 1500s. Gives a whole new meaning to the term, "You may kiss the bride."

23. The French invaded Italy shortly after Alexander's election, in 1494. Which French king led the invasion?

From Quiz The Borgias

Answer: Charles VIII

The humpbacked Charles reached Naples easily, but was forced to withdraw soon after, and was fought to a virtual stalemate at the Battle of Fornovo in 1495.

24. The farthingale served what function?

From Quiz Tudor Clothing

Answer: To lift the skirts into a bell shape

It was fashionable at this time to have a large skirt. This was often done with several layers of petticoats, but sometimes the farthingale was used as a way to make the skirt appear larger. It was a large frame, usually made of whalebone or someother hard material, in the shape of a bell or cone. It was placed around a woman's waist to give the skirts shape.

25. How many children did Elizabeth I of England have?

From Quiz Renaissance Women

Answer: 0

She was nicknamed the Virgin Queen. It's possible that she was involved with Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, but she never married. She was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.

26. Who was responsible for the death of Thomas Becket?

From Quiz Ancient to Renaissance History

Answer: Henry II

Henry II or Henry Plantagenet suggested to his knights that he wanted to be rid of Archbishop Thomas Becket.

27. Leonardo da Vinci - Perugino - Raphael Sanzio - Michelangelo - Titian - Veronese - ?

From Quiz Renaissance - Missing Links

Answer: Tintoretto

The high Italian Renaissance or the 'Cinquecento' is synonymous with greatness. The epicenter cultural effervescence moved from Florence towards Rome (Perugino, Raphael) and later Venice (Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto). Works like Leonardo's 'Gioconda', Michelangelo's frescos of the Sistine Chapel or Raphael's 'The School of Athens' are the best displays of the Renaissance movement.

28. Who succeeded Henry VIII to the throne of England?

From Quiz European History, 16th century

Answer: Edward VI

Edward was a sickly youth when he ascended to the throne, and he died in 1553 at the age of 15.

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