Royal Nicknames Trivia Quiz

Answer: Edward I

Edward I reigned from 1307-1327. He was dubbed "Longshanks" by the English people because of his great height, over six foot, which was very rare at that time.

Answer: John

John was the youngest son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. His father had no spare land to give John, hence the nickname. Two of the three elder sons died before Henry, and John succeeded his elder brother Richard I in 1199, reigning incompetently until 1216.

Answer: Isabella

Isabella married Edward II when she was just 12 years old. Despite her noted beauty, her husband was only interested in men. This annoyed Isabella. Years later, still ignored by Edward, she took a lover, Roger Mortimer. They supposedly killed Edward gruesomely at Berkley Castle. (There is, however, evidence that he may have survived and lived as a priest for the rest of his life). Isabella ruled as regent alongside Mortimer for the next three years, but they were deposed by her son, Edward III.

Answer: William I

It was, of course, William I who won the Battle of Hastings in 1066, founding the new English monarchy. William reigned until 1087.

Answer: Henry I

Henry I, the son of William I, became king in 1100 after his brother William II was killed in a hunting accident. Also called the "lion of justice" due to refinements Henry made in the royal administartion. Henry reigned until 1135, when he died without a legitimate male heir.

Answer: Jane

Jane Grey's mother Frances was niece to Henry VIII, and Jane was put on the throne to avoid Catholicism being brought back to England. It didn't work - nine days later, Mary I, a staunch Catholic and the rightful heir to the throne, forced Jane off the throne and later executed her.

Answer: Edward V

Edward V and his younger brother Richard Duke of York were both sent to the Tower of London by their uncle Richard III in 1483, never to be seen again. What happened to them remains a mystery.

Answer: Catherine Howard

Catherine was very young when she married Henry in 1540. She committed adultery to try to produce another male heir. It backfired on her and she was beheaded alongside her lovers after less than two years of marriage.

Answer: True

Elizabeth I had a number of affectionate nicknames including Gloriana, the Virgin Queen and Good Queen Bess. She reigned from 1558-1603.

Answer: Henry II

Henry II, grandson of Henry I, succeeded Stephen in 1154 and reigned until 1189.