I Rule the Land: 600 Edition Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tassilo I

Tassilo I (560-610) was King of Bavaria (under the authority of the Franks) from 591 until his death. The writings of Paul the Deacon are one of our major sources of information about him. He expanded Bavarian control temporarily into eastern Tyrol and Carinthia before being forced back by the Slavs.

Answer: Maurice

Maurice (539-602) was Emperor of the Byzantines from 582 until 602. A former general, Maurice was able to extend Byzantine control into the South Caucasus and end Byzantine tribute to the Persians. He also fought against the Avars in the northern Balkan peninsula. Another general, Phocas, took the throne from Maurice and executed him and his sons.

Answer: Theudebert II

Theudebert II (586-612) was King of the Austrasian Franks (including much of the Northern parts of what would be Charlemagne's empire), from 595 until his death. He spent much of his reign at war with his brother Theuderic II, King of Burgundy, who would eventually succeed him as leader of the Austrasian Franks. Theudebert is believed to have been murdered along with his son.

Answer: Chlothar II

Chlothar II (584-629), called the Great or the Young, was King of the Neustrian Franks for nearly his entire life (584-629). The territory of the Neustrian Franks covered much the northwestern part of what would become Charlemagne's Empire. During his reign, royal power gradually decreased as the office of Mayor of the Palace became a lifetime appointment.

He was able to briefly reunite Neustria and Austrasia, before being forced to cede Austrasia to his son.

Answer: Agilulf

Agilulf (c. 555-616) was King of the Lombards from 591 until his death. To please his wife, he was baptized a Christian, first Arian, then Catholic. During his reign, the Lombards were able to find peace with the Franks and the Papacy. He later fought against the Byzantines and won a tribute from the Emperor Phocas. He was succeeded by his son, Adaloald.

Answer: Pybba

Pybba (570-c. 615) was King of Mercia (central England) from about 593 until his death (either 606 or 615). He is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. His name is thought to be of Celtic rather than Germanic origin. He is said to have had 12 sons, of whom Penda and Eowa are known by name.

Answer: Aethelfrith

Aethelfrith was King of Bernicia from 593 until his death in 616 and King of Deira from 604 to 616, making him the first King to rule a united Northumbria. Many of his accomplishments were military-based. The conversion of Northumbria to Christianity did not occur until after his death--the Venerable Bede compared him to Saul, in everything but "that he was ignorant of the true religion".

Answer: Nechtan

Nechtan nepos Uerb was King of the Picts (Scotland) from 595 until his death in 616. The Annals of Ulster suggests that his death may have occurred as late as 621. He played a role in the establishment of a monastery at Abernethy. He may have also founded a church dedicated to Saint Boniface in the village of Rosemarkie.

Answer: Reccared I

Reccared I (c. 559-601) was King of the Visigoths from 586 until his death. The area he ruled over included much of Spain and southernmost France. He converted from Arian Christianity to Catholic Christianity. He issued several laws during his reign that were discriminatory against the Jewish population of his kingdom.

Answer: Ceolwulf

Ceolwulf was the King of Wessex (southern England) from 597 until his death in 611. Though he was described as a king frequently in battle, his only recorded battle (in 607) was against Sussex over control of the Isle of Wight. He was succeeded by Cyneglis, probably his son or nephew, by his brother Ceol.