Medieval Monarchs Trivia Quiz

Answer: December 29, 1170

Thomas Beckett, Henry's close friend and Chancellor since 1155, was named Archbishop of Canterbury in June 1162. He soon distanced himself from Henry and vehemently opposed the weakening of Church courts. Beckett fled England in 1164, but through the pleas and intervention of Pope Adrian IV (the lone English pope), returned in 1170.

He greatly angered Henry by opposing the coronation of Prince Henry. Exasperated, Henry hastily and publicly conveyed his desire to be rid of the contentious Archbishop - four ambitious knights took the king at his word and murdered Beckett in his own Cathedral on December 29, 1170.

Henry endured a rather limited storm of protest over the incident and the controversy passed.

Answer: Falkirk

In 1296, Edward invaded Scotland and soundly defeated the Scots under Baliol. Baliol was forced to abdicate and the Scottish Barons paid homage to Edward as their king. William Wallace incited a rebellion in 1297, and defeated the English army at Stirling.

The next year, Edward defeated Wallace at the Battle of Falkirk but encountered continued resistance until Wallace's capture and execution in 1304.

Answer: The Battle of Boroughbridge

In 1322, the arrogant and licentious Gaveston wielded considerable power over Edward. The Magnates, alienated by the relationship, rallied in opposition and fought behind the King's cousin, Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. The Parliaments of 1310 and 1311 imposed restrictions on Edward's power and exiled Gaveston. Edward showed a rare display of resolve and gathered an army to meet Lancaster at the Battle of Boroughbridge in Yorkshire. Edward prevailed and executed Lancaster.

Answer: Witchcraft

His marriage to Joan of Navarre (of whom it was rumored that she practised necromancy) was highly unpopular - and she was, in fact, convicted of witchcraft in 1419.

Answer: Catherine

He married Catherine, daughter of the French King Charles VI, in June 1420. His only child, the future Henry VI, was born in 1421.

Answer: September 1356

The on-going feud between England and France was known as the Hundred Years War.

Answer: 1453

Answer: Margaret of Anjou

It might be said Margaret was a stronger and more able leader than her saintly husband.

Answer: Richard Neville

Richard Neville once held two Kings of England captive at the same time. Henry VI and Edward IV both feel under his control in 1469. For those of you who are vampire buffs, you might be interested in learning that the Kingmaker was born in the same year as Vlad {Dracula;} 1428.

Answer: Edmund Beaufort

Somerset was hacked to death in front of the Castle {Inn;} May 22, 1455 at the battle of St Albans.

Answer: Towton

The attack took place on Palm Sunday, March 29, 1461. Fighting began at about 10 am and lasted all day. It was bitterly cold and snow storms were sweeping across the battle field as the two sides hacked each other to death. When the fighting ended, Towton found its' place in History as the site of the bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil.

Answer: Edward IV

Edward IV, who had carried a battle-axe on the field, secured the English throne and brought a temporary end to the War of the Roses.

Answer: May, 1471

In May 1471, The Lancastrians were encamped just outside Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire with an army of about 3,000 men when they were intercepted by Edward IV. The Lancastrians had a strong defensive position but made an abortive attack on Edward's troops. This gave away their advantage allowing the Yorks to break their defenses and win a decisive victory.

Answer: In a Thorn Bush

Richard's crown was found where it had fallen -- beneath a Hawthorne bush near the small well-spring known as King Richard's Well.

Answer: East Stoke

In 1487, a serious revolt by Lambert Simnel occurred. He claimed to be Edward, Earl of Warwick, the son of Richard III's elder brother, George, Duke of Clarence. He had the formidable support of John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln, Richard III's heir designate.

The rebels were defeated (June 1487) in a hard-fought battle at Stoke (East Stoke, near Newark in Nottinghamshire), where the doubtful loyalty of some of the royal troops was reminiscent of Richard III's difficulties at Bosworth. Henry, recognizing that Simnel had been a mere dupe, employed him in the royal kitchens.

Answer: Perkin Warbeck

Perkin Warbeck invaded England three times before he was captured at Beaulieu in Hampshire in 1497.

Answer: Charles the Bold

Charles attempted to conquer the lands that separated his possessions. His struggles with the Alsatian towns and his occupation (1473) of Lorraine alienated the Swiss cantons, which were allied with France. In 1474, war broke out between Charles and the Swiss. Charles's English ally, Edward IV, invaded France (1475), but accepted a bribe from Louis XI and ceased hostilities. Charles was beaten (1476) by the Swiss at Grandson and Morat. Early in 1477, at Nancy, Charles was defeated and killed by the Swiss and the Lorrainers.

His heiress, Mary of Burgundy, lost part of her possessions to France. The rest passed to the Hapsburgs through her marriage to Maximillian.

Answer: Francis I

For three weeks (June 7-June 24), the two courts strove to out do each other in displays of wealth and splendor. There were jousts and processions, masked balls, banquets, sporting events and even fireworks. Queen Catherine sat beneath a canopy entirely lined with pearls to watch her husband and King Francis joust against one another. Each day the Monarchs and their entourages appeared in more sumptuous and elaborate costumes.

Answer: Arthur

Henry is perhaps one of the most famous Kings of England.

Answer: Robert Dudley

Robert Dudley, the first Earl of Leicester, was believed to have murdered his wife Amy Robsart. She died after she fell down a flight of stairs in 1560. He also led the last feudal revolt against the Monarchs.