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Quiz about Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

"Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett Quiz

"Pillars of the Earth" is a historical novel. See how much you remember!

A multiple-choice quiz by bonanza22. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
bonanza22

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
197,058

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
11 / 15

Plays
1604

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. What century does this novel take place in? Hint

11th

13th

12th

10th

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Question 2 of 15

2. In which country does the novel mainly take place? Hint

France

England

Germany

Syria

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Question 3 of 15

3. Tom Builder's dream is to build the best _______________. Hint

cathedral

bridge

castle

monastery

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Question 4 of 15

4. At the beginning of the novel, Tom Builder is building a house for a young nobleman who is preparing to get married. What is this man's name? Hint

Hugh

William

Jackson

Alfred

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Question 5 of 15

5. While on the road with his family, Tom's wife Agnes dies. How does she die? Hint

Killed by Lord William

Attacked by bandits

Giving birth

Drowns in a river

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Question 6 of 15

6. Tom meets a beautiful bewitching woman on the road with his family, who later turns up after Agnes' death. What is her name? Hint

Martha

Ellen

Regan

Alienna

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Question 7 of 15

7. Philip is a young monk who is in charge of Saint John's in the Forest, a small "brother house" of the monastery near the main town. What is the name of the main town? Hint

Canterbury

Wareham

Kingsbridge

London

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Question 8 of 15

8. What is the name of the evil bishop to whom William Hamleigh goes for absolution of his sins? Hint

Peter of Wareham

Waleran Bigod

Walter Truebridge

Stephen of Blois

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Question 9 of 15

9. Alienna Bartholomew's father was an Earl who was defeated by William and his father Percy. Who does she eventually fall in love with, but is not able to marry at first? Hint

Alfred

Johnathan

Walter

Jack

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Question 10 of 15

10. What is the name of Lord William Hanleigh's squire who is his protector and best friend?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 11 of 15

11. Who sets the fire in the old church, ultimately enabling Tom Builder to build the new one? Hint

Alfred

Jack

William

Martha

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Question 12 of 15

12. How does Tom Builder die? Hint

He falls from the building site.

He dies of pneumonia

He dies in another fire.

He is kicked in the head by William's war horse.

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Question 13 of 15

13. What is William's greatest fear? Hint

Women

Drowning

Heights

Hell

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Question 14 of 15

14. What was Jack Jackson's father's occupation? Hint

Carpenter

Knight

Priest

Jongleur

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Question 15 of 15

15. Why is William executed at the end of the novel? Hint

He burned down the cathedral, killing hundreds.

He killed Tom Builder.

He took part in the murder of Archbishop of Canterbury.

He robbed from the church.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What century does this novel take place in?

Answer: 12th

People in 12th century England were very much concerned with the afterlife. As life was so fleeting, the church was the one anchor the people could hold on to.

2. In which country does the novel mainly take place?

Answer: England

Although the novel does take place in both France and the Middle East, it is set mainly in England.

3. Tom Builder's dream is to build the best _______________.

Answer: cathedral

Tom never fulfills his dream to build England's greatest cathedral because he is killed during a raid at the building site.

4. At the beginning of the novel, Tom Builder is building a house for a young nobleman who is preparing to get married. What is this man's name?

Answer: William

William's wedding plans are foiled when his bride-to-be cancels the wedding. Tom demands payment for the completed house which makes an enemy of Lord William Hamleigh.

5. While on the road with his family, Tom's wife Agnes dies. How does she die?

Answer: Giving birth

Tom and his family travelled for weeks on the road as he searched for work. His wife Agnes was pregnant with their third child, but after giving birth, she died from loss of blood and her weak condition.

6. Tom meets a beautiful bewitching woman on the road with his family, who later turns up after Agnes' death. What is her name?

Answer: Ellen

Ellen, who lives in the woods with her son Jack, was thought to be a witch by those who knew her. So, despite being a single woman with a young son living in the woods, she was left alone. Tom will meet Ellen again and she will travel with him as he looks for work.

7. Philip is a young monk who is in charge of Saint John's in the Forest, a small "brother house" of the monastery near the main town. What is the name of the main town?

Answer: Kingsbridge

Philip becomes the prior, or ruler, of Kingsbridge monastery after the death of Prior James. His election was challenged by Brother Remegius, who believed that he would be elected once James was dead. Remegius will make trouble for Prior Philip.

8. What is the name of the evil bishop to whom William Hamleigh goes for absolution of his sins?

Answer: Waleran Bigod

Waleran Bigod is anything but a man of God. He schemes with William to do everything in his power to enrich himself and to gain power in the Church.

9. Alienna Bartholomew's father was an Earl who was defeated by William and his father Percy. Who does she eventually fall in love with, but is not able to marry at first?

Answer: Jack

Alienna and her brother Richard were made homeless after the Earl's castle fell. She was raped by William, made to watch as her brother's earlobe was cut off, and was forced to go on the run. Her father was imprisoned and died.

10. What is the name of Lord William Hanleigh's squire who is his protector and best friend?

Answer: Walter

Walter does whatever William tells him to do and is forever helping to protect him in times of need. He disappears half way through the novel.

11. Who sets the fire in the old church, ultimately enabling Tom Builder to build the new one?

Answer: Jack

Jack Jackson, son of Ellen, is tired of travelling with Tom, his mother, and Tom's family, so he sets fire to the cathedral in hopes that Tom will land a permanent job there, rebuilding the cathedral.

12. How does Tom Builder die?

Answer: He is kicked in the head by William's war horse.

William leads a band of knights to terrorize the town of Kingsbridge because he is angry that Alienna is now a successful wool merchant there. Tom stands in his way and is kicked by William's war horse. He never regains consciousness. Alienna's shop is burned to the ground.

13. What is William's greatest fear?

Answer: Hell

William is deathly afraid of going to hell when he dies. So, after every evil act he commits, he seeks absolution from Bishop Walleran Bigod.

14. What was Jack Jackson's father's occupation?

Answer: Jongleur

Jack, Ellen's husband, was hanged for a crime he did not commit. Three men, one priest, one knight, and one abbot, all frame him for stealing a chalice. Jack was a jongleur, a wandering poet/storyteller/minstrel.

15. Why is William executed at the end of the novel?

Answer: He took part in the murder of Archbishop of Canterbury.

Alienna watches with satisfaction as her evil nemesis, Lord William Hanleigh, is hanged for his part in the murder of Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Beckett. William dies simpering, only a shell of the once proud evil lord.

I hope you enjoyed "Pillars of the Earth"! Thank you for taking my quiz.

Source: Author bonanza22

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