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King Stephen & Empress Matilda Quiz

This is a rivalry that I have always interested me. I hope you find it just as interesting! Have fun!

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

Author
MatildaMenace

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
137,062

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
10 / 15

Plays
1279

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Which of these is true about Empress Matilda? Hint

She married three times

She was the grandmother of Henry VIII

She was the mother of Henry II

She led a war against France

NEXT>

Question 2 of 15

2. How was Stephen of Blois related to Empress Matilda? Hint

They were first cousins

Matilda was a neice of Stephen

They were siblings

Stephen was Matilda's father

NEXT>

Question 3 of 15

3. Henry I had one son and several daughters - including
Matilda. How did his son, William, die? Hint

Was imprisoned and killed for the murder of his mother

In an attack on his estate

In a maritime accident

He was murdered

NEXT>

Question 4 of 15

4. King Henry I chose his daughter Matilda to reign after his death,
since his only legitimate son was no longer alive.

True

False

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Question 5 of 15

5. Matilda's closest heir, Stephen, swore allegiance to her, before
Henry I's death.

True

False

6. Because Matilda was a female, many people did not agree with the idea
of having her as their monarch. Because of this, how soon after King
Henry I's death was Stephen of Blois crowned King of England? Hint

4 months

1 month

3 weeks

4 days

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Question 7 of 15

7. How many years did Stephen rule England? Hint

19 years

27 years

7 years

9 months

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Question 8 of 15

8. Which of the following did Stephen not do while King of England? Hint

Kill them for their land

Raise their taxes

Jail the innocent for their possessions

Caused all of his subjects to suffer in one way or another

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Question 9 of 15

9. Who was the usual victor of the many small battles that occured
between Stephen and Matilda? Hint

Empress Matilda

King Stephen

They never actually fought

Their battles usually ended in a truce

NEXT>

Question 10 of 15

10. In 1141, Matilda's luck began to change for the better. What did she do? Hint

Starve all of Stephen's armies

Capture King Stephen

Ransack the palace in London

Receive a large number of well trained soilders from France

NEXT>

Question 11 of 15

11. At the siege of Winchester, in 1148, the battles between Matilda and Stephen ended. What happened? Hint

Stephen was killed

Matilda was killed

Matilda's army was unable to continue

Matilda's armies were completely vanquished

NEXT>

Question 12 of 15

12. Whenever people began to rally to Henry II's side, what would
Stephen do to get their allegiance? Hint

Kill them

Pay them to support him

Jail them

Send them to Russia

NEXT>

Question 13 of 15

13. Stephen kept Henry II off of the throne worked until 1152, when his fortunes suddenly changed. How? Hint

Stephen ran out of money

Stephen's supporters revolted

Henry paid people even more to fight for him

Henry received a large number of additional soldiers from Aquitaine

NEXT>

Question 14 of 15

14. Eventually Stephen named Henry II as heir of the throne. Two
things led him to this decision. One was because Henry had a large army. What was the other reason?
Hint

Henry II forced him to at cannon point

A Scottish invasion of England

Stephen's armies were beginning to starve

Stephen's heir died

NEXT>

Question 15 of 15

15. When did Matilda die? Hint

1172

1154

1167

1163

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Nov 16 2024 : Guest 90: 11/15
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of these is true about Empress Matilda?

Answer: She was the mother of Henry II

Henry II was from Matilda's second marriage to Geoffrey Plantagent, the son of the Duke of Anjou. This is the time in history where the royal family changed to the Plantagents.

2. How was Stephen of Blois related to Empress Matilda?

Answer: They were first cousins

They were also both grandchildren of William the Conqueror!

3. Henry I had one son and several daughters - including Matilda. How did his son, William, die?

Answer: In a maritime accident

He was sailing home from Normandy on one of the most extravagant
ships of the time. He and his crew took advantage of the numerous
bottles of fine wine onboard and became drunk. Because of this,
they were unable to maneuver around an area of jagged rocks, where
they crashed. Everyone on board drowned except for one of the workers.

4. King Henry I chose his daughter Matilda to reign after his death, since his only legitimate son was no longer alive.

Answer: True

King Henry I had only one legitimate son who survived childhood, William Adelin, who however predeceased him in 1120 at the age of 17. His only surviving legitimate child after that was his daughter, Matilda (1102-1167). Although he named her as his heir and persuaded the barons to swear fealty to her, immediately after his death many of them switched allegiance.

Henry I is notorious for the 25 or so illegitimate children that he sired, but they were not candidates for the succession.

5. Matilda's closest heir, Stephen, swore allegiance to her, before Henry I's death.

Answer: True

In 1125, Stephen, as well as a number of other noblemen, swore their
allegiance to England's heir, Princess Matilda.

6. Because Matilda was a female, many people did not agree with the idea of having her as their monarch. Because of this, how soon after King Henry I's death was Stephen of Blois crowned King of England?

Answer: 3 weeks

This enraged Matilda and she began to plot how to regain her
throne.

7. How many years did Stephen rule England?

Answer: 19 years

It is widely regarded as one of the worst reigns in English history.

8. Which of the following did Stephen not do while King of England?

Answer: Raise their taxes

Because of the way Stephen oppressed his people and took advantage of
the throne, a significant number of people fled to Matilda urging her
to fight for her title - which was rightfully hers! And so it began - the great rivalry Between King Stephen and Empress Matilda!

9. Who was the usual victor of the many small battles that occured between Stephen and Matilda?

Answer: King Stephen

Matilda rarely won a battle until 1141.

10. In 1141, Matilda's luck began to change for the better. What did she do?

Answer: Capture King Stephen

Matilda captured Stephen at Lincoln. Her armies kept him prisoner
for 6 months. Although the English people refused to officially crown her as their queen, she still took the place of Stephen in the palace in London and gave her armies new hope for another major victory!

11. At the siege of Winchester, in 1148, the battles between Matilda and Stephen ended. What happened?

Answer: Matilda's army was unable to continue

After Matilda withdrew from the fight, Stephen permitted her to go on living
her life as she wished. Even though Matilda no longer battled with
Stephen, she aided her now 15-year-old son, Henry II, in defeating
his uncle for the throne.

12. Whenever people began to rally to Henry II's side, what would Stephen do to get their allegiance?

Answer: Pay them to support him

Stephen abused his power almost more than any other monarch in English history. A chronichler writing during his reign stated that it was a time when 'Christ and His angels slept'.

13. Stephen kept Henry II off of the throne worked until 1152, when his fortunes suddenly changed. How?

Answer: Henry received a large number of additional soldiers from Aquitaine

Henry II married Eleanor of Aquitaine, and so acquired a large section of France. Because Henry was now the Duke of Aquitaine, he now had all the armies that he needed.

14. Eventually Stephen named Henry II as heir of the throne. Two things led him to this decision. One was because Henry had a large army. What was the other reason?

Answer: Stephen's heir died

Stephen's eldest son, Eustace, died in 1153. While Stephen did have another son, his second son was not interesting in pursueing the throne. Soon after Stephen realized he had no heir and was too old to produce any more offspring and thus named Henry the II the heir to the throne of England. After Stephen's death, Henry ruled under the guidance of his mother, Matilda, until her death.

15. When did Matilda die?

Answer: 1167

Thanks for taking my quiz. I hope you enjoyed it!

Source: Author MatildaMenace

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