British Monarchs Quiz: Trivia Questions!

1. The Cavaliers were also known as the Royalists. They supported the king in the English Civil War.

True

False

During the English Civil War, the Cavaliers were a faction that supported the king. They were also known as the Royalists, indicating their loyalty to the monarchy. Therefore, the statement that the Cavaliers supported the king in the English Civil War is true.

Explanation

During the English Civil War, the Cavaliers were a faction that supported the king. They were also known as the Royalists, indicating their loyalty to the monarchy. Therefore, the statement that the Cavaliers supported the king in the English Civil War is true.

2. Oliver Cromwell was crowned king in 1560.

True

False

Cromwell was never king. He became a dictator during the time period from 1646-1658.

Explanation

Cromwell was never king. He became a dictator during the time period from 1646-1658.

3. The leader of the Roundheads, who led England after Charles I's death was who?

Charles II

James I

Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell was the leader of the Roundheads, a parliamentary faction during the English Civil War. After the execution of Charles I, Cromwell became the de facto ruler of England, serving as Lord Protector from 1653 until his death in 1658. He played a significant role in shaping England's political landscape during this period, implementing various reforms and establishing a republican government. Therefore, Oliver Cromwell is the correct answer as he led England after Charles I's death.

Explanation

Oliver Cromwell was the leader of the Roundheads, a parliamentary faction during the English Civil War. After the execution of Charles I, Cromwell became the de facto ruler of England, serving as Lord Protector from 1653 until his death in 1658. He played a significant role in shaping England's political landscape during this period, implementing various reforms and establishing a republican government. Therefore, Oliver Cromwell is the correct answer as he led England after Charles I's death.

4. The Petition of Right guaranteed that there would be no imprisonment without cause, not taxation without parliament's consent, no quartering of soldiers, and no martial law.

True

False

The Petition of Right, a document passed by the English Parliament in 1628, aimed to limit the power of the monarch and protect the rights of the people. It guaranteed that individuals would not be imprisoned without just cause, taxation without the consent of Parliament would not occur, soldiers would not be quartered in private homes, and martial law would not be imposed. This answer is true because the Petition of Right did indeed include these guarantees.

Explanation

The Petition of Right, a document passed by the English Parliament in 1628, aimed to limit the power of the monarch and protect the rights of the people. It guaranteed that individuals would not be imprisoned without just cause, taxation without the consent of Parliament would not occur, soldiers would not be quartered in private homes, and martial law would not be imposed. This answer is true because the Petition of Right did indeed include these guarantees.

5. What was the dominant religion in England during the time period we are discussing (the 1500s- 1700s)?

Catholic

Protestant (Anglican)

Jewish

During the time period of the 1500s-1700s, the dominant religion in England was Protestantism, specifically the Anglican Church. This was due to the English Reformation, which occurred in the 16th century and resulted in the break from the Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England. The Anglican Church became the official state religion, and its doctrines and practices were followed by the majority of the population in England during this time period.

Explanation

During the time period of the 1500s-1700s, the dominant religion in England was Protestantism, specifically the Anglican Church. This was due to the English Reformation, which occurred in the 16th century and resulted in the break from the Catholic Church and the establishment of the Church of England. The Anglican Church became the official state religion, and its doctrines and practices were followed by the majority of the population in England during this time period.

6. This ruler continually fought with the parliament to get more money. He was eventually beheaded.

James II

Charles I

Oliver Cromwell

Charles I is the correct answer because he was a ruler who constantly clashed with the parliament over financial matters. His conflicts with parliament eventually led to the English Civil War, in which he was defeated. Charles I was then put on trial for treason and ultimately executed by beheading in 1649.

Explanation

Charles I is the correct answer because he was a ruler who constantly clashed with the parliament over financial matters. His conflicts with parliament eventually led to the English Civil War, in which he was defeated. Charles I was then put on trial for treason and ultimately executed by beheading in 1649.

7. This ruler disliked parliament and had the bible translated into English.

James I

Charles I

Elizabeth I

James I is the correct answer because he was known for his dislike of parliament and his efforts to consolidate power in the monarchy. He also commissioned the translation of the Bible into English, resulting in the King James Version, which became one of the most widely read and influential English translations of the Bible. Charles I, on the other hand, did not have the Bible translated into English and had a more contentious relationship with parliament. Elizabeth I also did not have the Bible translated into English and had a more favorable relationship with parliament compared to James I.

Explanation

James I is the correct answer because he was known for his dislike of parliament and his efforts to consolidate power in the monarchy. He also commissioned the translation of the Bible into English, resulting in the King James Version, which became one of the most widely read and influential English translations of the Bible. Charles I, on the other hand, did not have the Bible translated into English and had a more contentious relationship with parliament. Elizabeth I also did not have the Bible translated into English and had a more favorable relationship with parliament compared to James I.

8. The Rump Parliament was made up of Cromwell's supporters. All other members of parliament had been dismissed once he gained control of England.

True

False

The Rump Parliament refers to the English Parliament that was formed after the execution of King Charles I and the dissolution of the Long Parliament. It was indeed made up of supporters of Oliver Cromwell, who was a prominent figure during the English Civil War and eventually became the leader of the Commonwealth of England. After Cromwell gained control of England, he dismissed all other members of parliament who were not aligned with his views and formed the Rump Parliament with his supporters. Therefore, the statement is true.

Explanation

The Rump Parliament refers to the English Parliament that was formed after the execution of King Charles I and the dissolution of the Long Parliament. It was indeed made up of supporters of Oliver Cromwell, who was a prominent figure during the English Civil War and eventually became the leader of the Commonwealth of England. After Cromwell gained control of England, he dismissed all other members of parliament who were not aligned with his views and formed the Rump Parliament with his supporters. Therefore, the statement is true.

9. The Triennial Act was passed as part of the Long Parliament. It said that parliament must be called into session once every 3 years.

True

False

It was passed, but Charles I ignored it. He instead tried to dismiss parliament and fled north to form an army when they wouldn't disband.

Explanation

It was passed, but Charles I ignored it. He instead tried to dismiss parliament and fled north to form an army when they wouldn't disband.

10. Which document was made law by William and Mary?

English Bill of Rights

Rump Parliament

Petition of Right

The English Bill of Rights was made law by William and Mary. This document, which was enacted in 1689, established certain rights and liberties for the English people and limited the powers of the monarchy. It was a response to the oppressive rule of King James II and aimed to protect the rights of individuals and ensure a constitutional monarchy. The English Bill of Rights is considered a crucial document in the development of modern democratic principles and has had a lasting impact on the governance of England and other countries.

Explanation

The English Bill of Rights was made law by William and Mary. This document, which was enacted in 1689, established certain rights and liberties for the English people and limited the powers of the monarchy. It was a response to the oppressive rule of King James II and aimed to protect the rights of individuals and ensure a constitutional monarchy. The English Bill of Rights is considered a crucial document in the development of modern democratic principles and has had a lasting impact on the governance of England and other countries.

11. Charles II was an absolute ruler.

True

False

He agreed to work with parliament and passed the habeas corpus act. He knew that he could not repeat the mistakes of Charles I.

Explanation

He agreed to work with parliament and passed the habeas corpus act. He knew that he could not repeat the mistakes of Charles I.

12. This king's religion and belief in absolute rule led to the Glorious Revolution

Henry VIII

Charles II

James II

James II's religion and belief in absolute rule led to the Glorious Revolution. As a devout Catholic, James II's religious policies alarmed the predominantly Protestant English population, as they feared a return to Catholicism and the suppression of their own religious freedoms. Additionally, James II's attempts to assert his absolute authority and disregard for parliamentary laws further alienated the English people. These factors ultimately led to the Glorious Revolution, where James II was overthrown and replaced by William III and Mary II, who agreed to rule under a constitutional monarchy.

Explanation

James II's religion and belief in absolute rule led to the Glorious Revolution. As a devout Catholic, James II's religious policies alarmed the predominantly Protestant English population, as they feared a return to Catholicism and the suppression of their own religious freedoms. Additionally, James II's attempts to assert his absolute authority and disregard for parliamentary laws further alienated the English people. These factors ultimately led to the Glorious Revolution, where James II was overthrown and replaced by William III and Mary II, who agreed to rule under a constitutional monarchy.