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England in the 17th Century Trivia Quiz

Like the name suggests, a quiz about the 17th Century.

A multiple-choice quiz by Louisa75. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
Louisa75

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
55,403

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
20

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
13 / 20

Plays
3934

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 83 (17/20), Guest 90 (12/20), Guest 94 (11/20).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 20

1. In 1605 King James I of England was on the throne. He was also James VI, but of what country? Hint

Wales

France

Ireland

Scotland

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Question 2 of 20

2. What famous event happened in 1605? Hint

Founding of New Amsterdam

The start of the English Civil War

The Defeat of the Spanish Armada

The Gunpowder Plot

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Question 3 of 20

3. In 1629 William Harvey published a discovery he had made. What was it? Hint

The first English bank notes

The first milled-edge coins

The circulation of blood

The wave theory of light

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Question 4 of 20

4. The English Civil War began in 1642. Who was the King of England at the time? Hint

James I

Charles I

Charles II

Henry VIII

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Question 5 of 20

5. The King was head of the Royalist Party, but what were they also known as?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 6 of 20

6. What was the nickname of the Parliamentary side in the English Civil War?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 7 of 20

7. King Charles I had the support of two of his nephews (sons of his sister Elizabeth of Bohemia). What were their names? Hint

Charles Louis and Edward

Rupert and Philip

Rupert and Maurice

Maurice and Philip

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Question 8 of 20

8. After the execution of Charles I, his son Charles II fought to reclaim the throne at the battle of Worcester. One of his hiding places gave its name to many an English pub. What was it? Hint

The Royal Oak

The Royal Elm

The Royal Ash

The Royal Sycamore

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Question 9 of 20

9. What is the name of the building near the place where Charles II hid in a tree? Hint

Boscobel House

Hampton Court Palace

Mosely Old Hall

Corfe Castle

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Question 10 of 20

10. Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector during the Commonwealth years. His son, Richard, did not succeed in keeping the position. How is he recalled in history? Hint

Tumble Down Dick

Tricky Ricky

Raving Mad Richard

Thick Rick

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Question 11 of 20

11. Charles II came back to England in 1660 and celebrated his return at the same time as his birthday. How old was he? Hint

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Question 12 of 20

12. In 1664 Charles II married Catherine of Braganza. What country did she come from? Hint

Italy

France

Portugal

Spain

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Question 13 of 20

13. 1665 saw the first of two terrors to hit Restoration England. What was this one? Hint

Visit by the King of France

Revolution

The Great Plague

Storms

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Question 14 of 20

14. When was the Great Fire of London? Hint

September 1666

September 1667

September 1665

January 1666

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Question 15 of 20

15. Finish the quote. 'Let not poor Nelly _____ ' were the last words of Charles II.

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 16 of 20

16. James II followed his brother Charles II on to the throne of England. But not for long. He fled into exile with his second wife. Who was she? Hint

Mary of Modena

Catherine of Aragon

Anne Hyde

Mary Tudor

17. William III and Mary II came to the throne of England in 1689 after the glorious revolution. Mary was James II's daughter. But, other than son-in-law, what relation was William to James II? Hint

Cousin

Nephew

Second-cousin

No relation

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Question 18 of 20

18. Why were William and Mary accepted by the English people when James II was not? Hint

William and Mary were Protestant as opposed to Catholic

William and Mary promised to scrap all taxes

The fights William and Mary had were good entertainment

William and Mary promised to divide the country between them so everywhere was looked after.

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Question 19 of 20

19. William III and Mary II ruled together until the death of one of them in 1694. Which one went on to rule alone at the close of the 17th century?

Answer: (Just the name will do.)

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Question 20 of 20

20. What was the name of the English royal family for the majority of the 17th Century?

Answer: (Today it is Windsor)

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 22 2024 : Guest 83: 17/20
Nov 09 2024 : Guest 90: 12/20
Nov 07 2024 : Guest 94: 11/20
Oct 20 2024 : Guest 81: 14/20
Oct 15 2024 : Guest 71: 14/20
Oct 07 2024 : Guest 120: 10/20
Oct 02 2024 : Guest 46: 15/20
Sep 30 2024 : jmel2: 12/20
Sep 29 2024 : Guest 150: 11/20

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In 1605 King James I of England was on the throne. He was also James VI, but of what country?

Answer: Scotland

King James was one year old when he became King of Scotland. However, he had to wait a little longer before becoming King of England, too. This was finally achieved in 1603 on the death of Elizabeth I.

2. What famous event happened in 1605?

Answer: The Gunpowder Plot

When Guy Fawkes and his conspirators decided to blow us the Houses of Parliament they could never have known how even today it is remembered every fifth of November with Bonfire Night.

3. In 1629 William Harvey published a discovery he had made. What was it?

Answer: The circulation of blood

In case you are wondering about the other discoveries. The milled-edge coins were first made in France in 1639. The wave theory of light was developed by Huygens in 1690. And the first English bank notes were used in 1718 - I'm not sure who came up with that idea. Someone who got sick of all the small change?

4. The English Civil War began in 1642. Who was the King of England at the time?

Answer: Charles I

Charles I, the son of James I and father of Charles II. Henry VIII is a rather obvious wrong answer.

5. The King was head of the Royalist Party, but what were they also known as?

Answer: Cavaliers

The word 'cavalier' comes from the French for horseman.

6. What was the nickname of the Parliamentary side in the English Civil War?

Answer: Roundheads

Named after the short haircuts of some of the soldiers in the Parliamentary army - in particular, the London apprentices.

7. King Charles I had the support of two of his nephews (sons of his sister Elizabeth of Bohemia). What were their names?

Answer: Rupert and Maurice

Prince Rupert of the Rhine is well known, his brother Maurice accompanied him to England. The other names are all brothers too. Maurice tragically drowned at sea when he and Rupert took up piracy after the war.Charles Louis (Carl) the eldest surviving brother hedged his bets during the war and remained pretty much on the sidelines.Edward eloped with an heiress.Philip went down in history for the assassination of his mother's lover.These brothers are just a small part of a very large family which could be called many things but never boring.

8. After the execution of Charles I, his son Charles II fought to reclaim the throne at the battle of Worcester. One of his hiding places gave its name to many an English pub. What was it?

Answer: The Royal Oak

The Royal Oak a descendant of which still stands to this day.

9. What is the name of the building near the place where Charles II hid in a tree?

Answer: Boscobel House

Boscobel House is open to the public and serves very nice scones if you happen to be in the area. Mosely Old Hall was another of his hiding places. The other two places are merely names with Civil War connections.

10. Oliver Cromwell was Lord Protector during the Commonwealth years. His son, Richard, did not succeed in keeping the position. How is he recalled in history?

Answer: Tumble Down Dick

Tumble Down Dick is the correct answer. The others are made up with a little help from Eastenders.

11. Charles II came back to England in 1660 and celebrated his return at the same time as his birthday. How old was he?

Answer: 30

Just hit thirty after spending over half his life at war or in exile.

12. In 1664 Charles II married Catherine of Braganza. What country did she come from?

Answer: Portugal

Catherine did not lead a very happy life in England. But when she returned to Portugal after the death of Charles II she was well loved and respected by her people, even acting as Regent in a time of crisis.

13. 1665 saw the first of two terrors to hit Restoration England. What was this one?

Answer: The Great Plague

The plague hit England in 1665, brought by the fleas of rats from the ships.

14. When was the Great Fire of London?

Answer: September 1666

The fire hit and helped to wipe out the last of the plague, unfortunately taking with it a large portion of London. Thankfully there were few casualties in the fire itself even though many were left homeless. Charles II and his brother James were both seen fighting the fire personally.

15. Finish the quote. 'Let not poor Nelly _____ ' were the last words of Charles II.

Answer: starve

Nell Gwynne, orange seller and actress was one of the most famous of Charles II's many mistresses.

16. James II followed his brother Charles II on to the throne of England. But not for long. He fled into exile with his second wife. Who was she?

Answer: Mary of Modena

Mary of Modena was the second wife of James II. Anne Hyde was the first. Catherine of Aragon was the first of Henry VIII's wives and Mary Tudor was, of course, Queen of England in a previous century.

17. William III and Mary II came to the throne of England in 1689 after the glorious revolution. Mary was James II's daughter. But, other than son-in-law, what relation was William to James II?

Answer: Nephew

William was the nephew of James II. William's mother was James' elder sister Mary.

18. Why were William and Mary accepted by the English people when James II was not?

Answer: William and Mary were Protestant as opposed to Catholic

Whilst they also made many promises in order to be accepted, it was the religion that was the deciding factor. The people of England would not tolerate a Catholic Monarch such as James II. William and Mary were the ideal and popular choice.

19. William III and Mary II ruled together until the death of one of them in 1694. Which one went on to rule alone at the close of the 17th century?

Answer: William

William ruled alone from 1694 until 1702 when he also passed away. The throne then passed to Queen Anne who was the last of the Stuart Monarchs.

20. What was the name of the English royal family for the majority of the 17th Century?

Answer: Stuart

To quote John MacLeod, 'a Royal family so awful the Scots let the English share them.' But I have to say that they are my personal favourites. I hope you found the quiz easy enough and perhaps you learnt something new too. Thanks for taking part.

Source: Author Louisa75

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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