Kings and Queens of England 832-1216 Quiz

Answer: Aethelred

Aethelred was the longest reigning Anglo-Saxon king (978-1013 and again, 1014-1016, a total of about 37 years). The nickname 'Unready' means 'without advice' or 'ill advised' and thus refers to those around him rather than the king himself. However, the first written record of the nickname dates from about 1180, so it may not be very informative.

Answer: Alfred the Great

Alfred was Egbert's grandson and was one of England's best kings.

Answer: Three

Yes there were three. They were Edward the Elder, Edward the Martyr and Edward the Confessor.

Answer: Blois

Stephen's father was count of Blois as were his two elder brothers and thus he was called Stephen of Blois. His whole reign was throughout the civil war called the Anarchy between him and his cousin Matilda.

Blois is on the River Loire, between Orleans and Tours.

Answer: Henry II

Henry was the son of Matilda who fought against her cousin in the Anarchy. Henry was the first king of the Plantagenet dynasty whic lasted 1154-1485. The last king of the dynasty was Richard III.

Curtmantle means 'short coat'.

Answer: Lackland

He was given this nickname because he had no inheritance when he was born whereas his brothers did. Eventually after his father conquered Ireland, John was given that as his inheritance but he eventually inherited all his brothers' lands.

Answer: William I the Conqueror

Henry succeeded his brother William II Rufus in 1100 after the latter was killed by an arrow in the New Forest. Henry's only legitimate son, William Adelin, died in 1120, so after Henry's death Stephen of Blois succeeded and the Anarchy followed between Stephen and Henry's daughter Matilda.

Answer: William Marshal

William Marshal, who began his career as an obscure knight errant, was said to be the best knight of his day and he eventually became the 1st Earl of Pembroke. He served Henry II, Richard I the Lionheart, King John and Henry III and Henry II's eldest son Henry the Young King.

Answer: The third crusade

Richard reigned for 10 years but only spent 6 months in the country during that reign. He fought against Saladin in the Holy Land in the third crusade. Also, on his return from the crusade he was captured and England had to ransom him.

Answer: Duke of Normandy

William had been the Duke of Normandy since he was a small child. While he was young there were a number of unsuccessful assassination attempts by his cousins, and learnt life the hard way.