Famous Battles Lost Trivia Quiz

Answer: George Armstrong Custer

Custer's "last stand" at the Battle of Little Bighorn saw the loss of over 250 of his regiment. Of those actually under his direct command, the only survivor was Captain Keogh's horse Comanche.

The battle was to be the last major victory of native Americans in the West though. The public horror at the "loss" of Custers 7th cavalry bought swift retribution from US forces.

Answer: Boudica

Boudica, or Boadicea lead the Iceni revolt against occupying Romans in Ancient Britain. After the towns of Colchester, St. Albans and London had been sacked the Roman legions mobilised. They met Boudica at the Battle of Watling Street.

Roman accounts put the rebels losses at over 80,000 with Boudica herself alleged to have taken poison rather than being captured. The exact site of the battle is unclear today.

The aftermath effectivly ended resistance to Rome in Britain and was followed by nearly 400 years of occupation.

Answer: King Leonidas

The Gates of Fire is better known as Thermopylae.

Spartan led forces under King Leonidas held the pass of Thermopylae against Xerxes's Persian forces when they invaded Greece. Famously laying down their lives, the Spartans managed to delay the Persians and inflicted such losses that Southern Greece was able to mobilise its army and navy. Greek victories followed, driving the Persian forces out.

A monument at the site carries an inscription, a commonly accepted translation reads:

"Go tell the Spartans,
stranger passing by,
that here,
obedient to their laws,
we lie".

Answer: William Barret Travis

In 1836 Texas was fighing for independence from Mexico. Santa Anna, Mexico's president moved his army into Texas to crush the rebellion, the Alamo mission was was to be the Texan first line of defence. Estimates of the defenders numbers vary from 180-250, Mexican forces numbered 6,000.

After a 13-day siege the mission was stormed and all killed including Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett. The loss became a rallying cry for Texas,"remember the Alamo".

The defence had given Sam Houston the time to organise a Texan army that repulsed Santa Anna and directly lead to Texas joining the Union.

Answer: King Philip VI

Crecy 1346 saw the 12,000 strong army of Edward III of England facing a French army of up to 40,000 lead by King Philip VI

Within hours the English longbows had created carnage on the battle field. For a mere loss of 100-200 men on the English side France had lost the "flower" of its nobility. Figures given for French losses include eleven 11 princes, 1200-1500 knights and anything up to 20,000 losses overall.

The longbow had arrived on the battlefield and would dominate until the arival of gunpowder.
The term "flower of France" has it's origins with the death of Roland at the battle of Roncevaux Pass on August 15, 778.

Answer: Harold Godwinson

1066 saw the Norman invasion of England, William Duke of Normandy had arrived to dispute the throne of England. The two armies squared up on Senlac Hill now known as the battle of Hasings.

The day was long and hard for both, William's cavalry was unable to break the shield wall of the English. The turning point came when archers were ordered to fire over the wall into the ranks behind. Harold fell, an arrow in the eye, his loss causing the collapse of the English defence.

William's army moved on to London where he was later crowned King of England, ending Anglo-Saxon rule.

Answer: Bonnie Prince Charlie

In 1745 Scottish rebels led by Bonnie Prince Charlie had invaded England. Victories at Manchester and Derby had forced King George II to respond. The King's army led by the Duke of Cumberland finally met Charlie's forces at Culloden.

The Scottish rebel army was slaughtered on the field. Reprisals for the invasion were swift and harsh, never again would the Highlands raise an army against England. Cumberland's actions and orders earned him the nickname "the butcher" - such were the atrocities after Culloden.

Answer: Lord Cardigan

1854 saw British and French forces encamped on the Crimean Peninsula. The Battle of Balaclava on 25th October would be marked in history for all the wrong reasons. Over 650 men of the Light Brigade rode into "the valley of death".

Misunderstood orders were given to "take the guns" and the Light Brigade rode into a valley defended by over 20 Russian regiments & 50 artillary guns, it was a one way ride into hell.

The charge actually reached the Russian cannons at the end of the valley with light losses, the real nightmare was to begin though.
Returning up the valley the Light Brigade would now have to ride on tired horses back the way they came. Russian artillery had now found its range and the fire was merciless.
Lord Cardigan commanded the Light Brigade. Losses were almost 50% of the men and nearly 70% of the horses involved for no military gain.
Tennyson's poem 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' immortalised the event. It opens with the line:

'Half a league , half a league, half a league onwards@

Answer: King Charles I

The English Civil War saw the end of absolute monarchy in England. The "people" ruled the land through an elected Parliament. Charles I was executed in 1649. Never again would an English King or Queen rule with so much power.

Answer: Ghengis Khan

Ghengis Khan died according to most histories as a result of falling from his horse. The Mongol Empire continued to expand for another seventy years or so after his death and c. 1300 was the largest empire ever known.