MEDIEVAL CORONATION QUIZ!!!

How much do you know about medieval coronations? Let’s see, shall we

To celebrate the coronation, or to give you something to do while you’re getting drunk in the rain at a street party at least, I’ve written a super nerdy medieval coronation quiz.

Answers at the bottom of the page… for subscribers only, but I’ll take the paywall off next week (if I remember).

Questions

1. Most monarchs are crowned at Westminster Abbey. In 1216, however, nine-year old Henry III was crowned somewhere else. Where?

a) Winchester Cathedral
b) Gloucester Abbey
c) Salisbury Cathedral

2. British monarchs today are heads of state of many Commonwealth realms. But which of these English kings was crowned King of France?

a) Henry V
b) Henry VI
c) Henry VIII

3. At Richard II’s coronation in 1377 he lost an item of clothing, which was later considered a bad omen. What item?

a) His shoe
b) His cloak
c) His glove

4. Edward II supposedly gave mortal offence to his young bride, Isabella of France, at his coronation banquet in 1308. How?

a) He farted during the toast to her father
b) He got drunk and fell asleep in his dinner
c) He gave away his coronation gifts to his male lover

5. Only one woman was allowed to attend Richard the Lionheart’s coronation in 1189. Who was it?

a) His sister, Margaret, Duchess of Saxony
b) His wife, Berengaria of Navarre
c) His mum, Eleanor of Aquitaine

6. In 1185 Henry II, king of England, was offered the crown of which other kingdom?

a) Jerusalem
b) Ireland
c) Sicily

7. Only one of these King Edwards was actually crowned. Which one?

a) Edward V
b) Edward VI
c) Edward VIII

8. William the Conqueror was crowned on which auspicious day of the year in 1066?

a) Easter Sunday
b) Ascension Day
c) Christmas Day

9. Which personal hygiene fail afflicted Henry IV at his coronation in 1399?

a) His hair was riddled with nits and had to be shaved off
b) He sweated so much that he had to change his shirt three times
c) His teeth were so rotten that his breath stank and he had to fill his mouth with herbs

10. Edward I became king in 1272, but wasn’t crowned until 1274. Why not?

a) He was underage at the time of his accession
b) The crown had been pawned to raise money for the reconquest of Normandy
c) He was away on crusade and took ages to get home