History questions
Use these examples to check whether the topic has stuck. Review why each answer is right or wrong, then start the drill when you are ready to answer without hints.
False
Correct answer
True
Explanation
Elizabeth I was a Protestant who re-established the Church of England as the official church; her predecessor Mary I was Catholic and persecuted Protestants.
Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I grew highly popular after England defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588.
Correct answer
James I
James I succeeded Elizabeth I in 1603 after she died without an heir.
Mary I
Mary I, known as Bloody Mary, persecuted Protestants and reigned briefly before Elizabeth.
Henry VIII
Henry VIII is best known for breaking with Rome and marrying six times.
Explanation
Elizabeth I became one of the most popular monarchs in English history, particularly after 1588, when the English defeated the Spanish Armada (a large fleet of ships), which had been sent by Spain to conquer England and restore Catholicism.
The Spanish Armada
The English fleet defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588, sent to conquer England and restore Catholicism
Correct answer
The Saxons
Anglo-Saxons invaded Britain centuries earlier after the Romans left in AD 410
The Romans
The Romans occupied Britain from 43 AD to 410 AD; they left long before Elizabeth I
The Normands
The Normans conquered England in 1066 under William the Conqueror
Explanation
In 1588 the English defeated the Spanish Armada (a large fleet of ships).
Portugal
Portugal was not involved in sending a fleet against England in 1588
Spain
Spain sent the Spanish Armada in 1588 to conquer England and restore Catholicism, but it was defeated
Correct answer
Italy
Italy did not send a fleet against England in 1588
France
France was not behind the 1588 Armada; that fleet belonged to Spain under Philip II
Explanation
Elizabeth I became one of the most popular monarchs in English history, particularly after 1588, when the English defeated the Spanish Armada (a large fleet of ships), which had been sent by Spain to conquer England and restore Catholicism.
She suspected Mary of wanting to take over the English throne
Elizabeth feared Mary's Catholic claim to the throne and kept her imprisoned for 20 years.
Correct answer
She was a spy of the Spanish Armada
The Spanish Armada was sent in 1588; Mary's imprisonment began years before that.
She had killed her son
Mary's son James VI of Scotland eventually became James I of England.
She did not agree with her political views
The core reason was Elizabeth's fear of Mary's rival dynastic claim to the crown.
Explanation
Elizabeth suspected Mary of wanting to take over the English throne, and kept her prisoner for 20 years.
She was a Catholic
Henry VIII's daughter Mary I was Catholic, not Elizabeth I
She was a Protestant
Elizabeth I was Protestant and re-established the Church of England as the official church
Correct answer
Explanation
Queen Elizabeth I was a Protestant.
They were sisters
Mary and Elizabeth were not sisters; they were cousins through their respective royal lines.
They were mother and daughter
Elizabeth I was not Mary's mother or daughter; they were of the same generation.
They were not related
They were related — Mary, Queen of Scots, was Elizabeth I's cousin.
They were cousins
Mary, Queen of Scots was Elizabeth I's cousin; Elizabeth imprisoned her for 20 years over her rival claim to the throne.
Correct answer
Explanation
‘Mary, Queen of Scots’ was Elizabeth I’s cousin.
Scotland
Scotland remained a separate country when James became king of England, Wales and Ireland
Ireland
James VI of Scotland became King James I of England, Wales and Ireland
Correct answer
The United Kingdom
The UK did not formally exist until 1707 (Great Britain) and 1801 (United Kingdom)
England
James VI became King James I of England, Wales and Ireland
Correct answer
Wales
James VI became King James I of England, Wales and Ireland
Correct answer
Explanation
When Elizabeth I died in 1603, James VI of Scotland became King James I of England, Wales and Ireland. Scotland remained a separate country until the Act of Union in 1707.
False
Correct answer
True
Explanation
Mary was a devout Catholic and persecuted Protestants (for this reason, she became known as ‘Bloody Mary’). Mary also died after a short reign and the next monarch was her half-sister, Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
False
Correct answer
True
Explanation
The English fleet defeated the Spanish Armada fleet, which had been sent to conquer England and restore Catholicism in 1588
True
Correct answer
False
Explanation
Queen Elizabeth I was a Protestant.
Ulster
Protestants were settled in Ulster, northern Ireland, in the plantations
Correct answer
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital of Wales; not a plantation settlement
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland; not a plantation settlement
East London
Huguenot refugees settled in East London; not the Irish plantations
Explanation
During the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, many people in Ireland opposed rule by the Protestant government in England. There were a number of rebellions. The English government encouraged Scottish and English Protestants to settle in Ulster, the northern province of Ireland, taking over the land from Catholic landholders. These settlements were known as plantations.
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