Medieval English Royalty I Trivia Quiz

Answer: William the Bastard

William the Conqueror was the illegitimate, or bastard, son of Robert I of Normandy and Herleva, a tanner's daughter. He had a very difficult childhood and found it hard to gain power because of this. His conquest of England led to fundamental social, economic, political and linguistic changes in England.

Answer: He was shot with an arrow on a hunting trip

William II was almost certainly shot by one of his entourage, who were all good shots with a bow. No one knows whether his killer had a motive (in which case it would have been murder), or whether it was an accident, but William died and was succeeded by his brother who became Henry I.

Answer: Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor of Aquitaine was one of the most influential women in English and French history, and was an advisor to three English kings, Henry II, Richard I, and John.

Answer: Arsuf

The battle of Arsuf was a key victory in the Third Crusade that demoralized Saladin's forces and helped Richard get within 12 miles of Jerusalem. Although Richard had enough forces to take the city, bad weather and a belief that Egyptian reinforcements were coming made them turn back.

Answer: Latin

Although the court language of England at this time was French, important and public documents were mostly written in Latin for the local priest to interpret for the people.

Answer: Simon de Montfort

Battles between Henry and Simon about the parliament happened frequently throughout his reign, and Simon died after establishing the parliament at the Battle of Evesham. However, this parliament was not strictly legal as it was convened by a rebel. Th first parliament summoned by the king met in 1295.

Answer: Hammer of the Scots

This nickname was originally in Latin, Malleus Scotorum. During his conquest, he brought back the Stone of Scone, which all rulers of Scotland are traditionally crowned on. However, his son squandered this conquest.

Answer: Bannockburn

The Battle of the Bannockburn was the last time English cavalry were used in the Middle Ages, and were defeated when the horses were stuck in pits and stabbed by pikemen.

Answer: 116 years.

The Hundred Years' War is one of the longest wars in history, but was split up into four individual quarters in which the English or French emerged victorious. The French won the war after winning the final quarter.

Answer: Battle of Poitiers

This was one of the most influential battles in the Hundred Years' War, because many nobles were captured, bankrupting France and leaving the country even worse off after the scorched earth tactics of the English. The war lasted another 97 years, but eventually France recuperated and won the war.