Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. If history has been unkind to me, it is because it was written by monks and the like-people who didn't like the fact that I worshipped a horned pagan deity. Christianity does have its uses, though. By not appointing anybody to vacant church positions, I was able to keep the income to myself. It even took me four years to appoint a new Archbishop of Canterbury. Hey, I was busy. Eventually, of course, the Archbishop and I quarreled, and he ran off to Italy until I was safely dead. Good riddance to bad rubbish. Then there's the fact that I never married, and had my court filled with lots of long haired, effeminately dressed male courtiers. This led to certain, uh, rumors. I was eventually killed in a hunting 'accident'.
2. There's not much in the history books about me, as I was murdered at a young age by my half-brother's supporters after a short reign. At least I got canonized for my troubles. Saint, I like the ring of that.
3. I have been called 'the wisest fool in Christendom'(by the king of France, no less), due in part to my erudition , and in part to my questionable judgement. I wrote several profound theoretical works on government and religion. I once wrote a booklet arguing against the use of tobacco, and I don't think I need to say how that went. Also, like the fellow in question 1, there were persistent rumors of my homosexuality.
4. When Charles IV of France died without a son, I decided to claim the throne for myself, as my mother was Charles' sister. I had several successes in battle, even marching to the gates of Paris. I laid siege to Calais for 11 months. When the town finally surrendered, I was rather upset and had planned to slaughter the populace. I then offered to spare the town if six prominent citizens offered their lives. However, my wife, Philippa, convinced me to spare the men's lives. A truce with France was called. Even though I conquered Normandy, my dream of being King of France was never realized. Though popular at first with the people, the increased taxation due to my many wars caused my popularity ratings to drop precipitously. Some say I lapsed into senility when my beloved Philippa died. I fell under the influence of my wife's lady-in-waiting, Alice Perrers. My son, the Black Prince, predeceased me, so when I died, my ten year old grandson took the throne. Who am I?
5. If you displeased with your height, you can be thankful that my arm isn't longer. For I decreed that one 'foot' would be equal to one third of the length of my arm, which was, of course, 36 inches long. Thus, if you are now five foot six, you would have been only five feet tall had my arm been 42 inches! In addition to this great contribution to the field of metrology, I set about great and popular reforms in the administration of justice. I then strengthened my position by marrying the daughter of the King of Scotland. I had given my brother Robert control of Normandy, but he rather botched it up. So, after a little battle, I had him imprisoned for life. My posthumous title means 'the Scholar' even though my learning was limited.
6. I made the first tour of Canada and the USA by a royal prince (a title I held for entirely too long!). I was considered too frivolous for responsibility. I cut quite the figure in European cafe society, not to mention the horse-racing, theater going, and yachting. What's the point of being rich if you can't enjoy it, eh what? I had several mistresses and was even a witness in a divorce suit. I did, however, restore vitality and flair to the crown. I also had all of the clocks at my royal residence at Sandringham set one half hour fast, so that my guests would rise early for the best hunting. Unfortunately, this had repercussions after my death. As my son lay dying at Sandringham, several mistakes were made due to the discrepancy between Sandringham time and real time.
7. When anesthesia was first used to diminish the pain of childbirth, churchmen (all men, of course!) objected because in the bible Eve was told 'in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children' as one of the punishments for eating the forbidden fruit (as if high heels and football weren't enough!). However, when I decided to be chloroformed when giving birth to one of my children, all criticism stopped. I guess none of those churchmen had the nerve to criticize the Queen of England! Who am I?
8. When the King died, I happened to be in my county of Bolougne. Thus, I was able to get to London quicker than my rivals to the throne and enlist the support of the key players (first come first served). I managed to convince the Archbishop of Canterbury that the oath of fealty that I and others had sworn to the dead king's daughter, Matilda, was invalid because it was coerced forcibly. I then threw in a rumour that she was illegitimate, for good measure. Thus I gained the throne. I managed to offend my supporters (Robert of Gloucester, and my very own brother, to name two), plus a good many other people. Matilda landed at Arundel to resume the civil war. I fought bravely, if foolishly, and was taken prisoner. Matilda, however, proved even more disagreeable a personality than myself. Before her coronation, the Londoners had had enough, and took up arms against her. I was eventually freed and regained my crown. Unfortunately, my only son, Eustace, died, and I was forced to acknowledge Matilda's son as my successor. Who am I ?
9. I was king of both England and Denmark. I was busy in Denmark, and my half brother tried to claim the throne of England. I mounted an expedition to England to reclaim my throne, but the pretender died before I got there. This did not mollify me, however. I imposed a savage fleet tax on the English to pay for my expedition. My reign was universally disliked (except by me), and I died of convulsions at a drinking party.
10. I did battle with the Danish king over the crown of England. after a series of brilliant but essentially inconclusive battles, a compromise was reached. I would rule Wessex, and my adversary would rule Mercia and Northumbria. Whoever survived the other would then inherit the whole nine yards. Unfortunately, I died a few weeks later. At least I had a cool nickname-'Ironside'.
Source: Author
mycroft
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
Snowman before going online.
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