Eleanor of Aquitaine and the end of Henry II's reign | History

Starter quiz

True or false? Henry had his son Henry the Young King crowned king of England early to secure a peaceful succession.
- True ✓
- False
What action did Thomas Becket take upon landing in Kent after his return to England?
- He declared himself the new king
- He excommunicated the bishops involved in Henry the Young King's coronation ✓
- He organised a grand celebration
True or false? Following the murder of Thomas Becket, the Pope excommunicated Becket.
- True
- False ✓
What does Henry's public act of penance reveal about the power of the Church during the medieval period?
- Even powerful monarchs like Henry felt they needed to seek forgiveness ✓
- It had no impact on the actions of kings and rulers
- Religion was a personal matter for monarchs
How did the Pope's support after 1172 affect Henry's position?
- It made him more dependent on the English Church
- It strengthened his position and authority ✓
- It weakened his rule and authority
Match the key words with the correct definitions.
- excommunicated
  
  ⇔
  
  to be expelled from the Catholic Church by the Pope ✓
- martyr
  
  ⇔
  
  someone who dies for their beliefs ✓
- penance
  
  ⇔
  
  to punish yourself to seek God’s forgiveness for a sin ✓
- cathedral
  
  ⇔
  
  a large and impressive church; contains the seat of a bishop ✓

Match Henry II's son with their correct inheritance.
- Henry the Young King
  
  ⇔
  
  king of England ✓
- Richard
  
  ⇔
  
  Duke of Aquitaine ✓
- Geoffrey
  
  ⇔
  
  Brittany ✓
- John
  
  ⇔
  
  did not inherit significant lands ✓
What character trait did all of Henry II's sons inherit from their father?
- generosity
- hot temper ✓
- humility
- patience
Who conspired in the revolt against Henry II, along with Eleanor of Aquitaine and her sons?
- King of France ✓
- The Pope
- Thomas Becket
What did Richard and John do after the deaths of Henry the Young King and Geoffrey?
- they continued to rebel against Henry II ✓
- they decided to accept Henry II succession plans
- they went into hiding
What role did Eleanor of Aquitaine play after her release from prison?
- she actively supported Henry II
- she encouraged Richard to revolt again ✓
- she urged Richard to seek Henry II’s forgiveness
How did Henry II react when he was forced to surrender to Richard from his deathbed?
- he expressed his love for Richard
- he pleaded for mercy
- he whispered a desire for revenge ✓
- he whispered words of encouragement

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Henry announced how his empire would be divided upon his death in an attempt to secure peace and stability.
Henry’s sons did not want to wait for future power; they wanted power now.
Henry's wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, conspired with their sons in revolt against Henry.
Henry’s sons continued to rebel during the last years of his reign.
Henry’s succession planning had been a disaster.

Medieval queens had little influence.

Eleanor was an intelligent and powerful queen, acted as regent, and was a key conspirator of the revolt.

Succession - succession is the process in which someone automatically inherits a position or property after someone else
Revolt - to revolt is to rebel or take violent action against a ruler
Conspire - to conspire is to secretly plot or plan together
Regent - a regent is a person who rules a country for a limited period, because the monarch is absent or too young, too ill
Heir - an heir is a person who expects to inherit the property or position of another when that person dies