Who or what in the reign of James VI & I
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James VI of Scotland and I of England has an uncomfortable position in English history sandwiched between Gloriana, the reign of one of Eng;and’s greatest monarchs, and the drama of the Civil Wars and the Interregnum. But he is unjustly dismissed as the bloke with the slobbery mouth and codpiece fiddler. Not only was he a canny politician, but he was an intellectual, unusually religiously tolerant. He left a range of publications – including Basilikon Doron, Daemonologie, and a number of poems.
So, to try to convince you that he and his reign are fascinating for their own reasons, rather than as an anteroom to somewhen else, here is a quiz for you of 17 questions about major events, people or buildings. Let’s be clear – this is not supposed to be fun, we’ve all been subjected to that old line at school – ‘Hey kids, learning can be fun!’ Harrumph. Sp this is supposed to be educational, not fun, just so you know. It is also both incomplete and random – but see how well you can do.
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Congratulations, you have made it to the end of the quiz, and may dance a masque with honour at the Queens’ House at Greenwich, or Denmark House (now Somerset House) or indeed Whitehall Palace
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Question 1 of 17
1. Question
1 pointsPart of a palace designed by Inigo Jones from 1616 for the Queen Anne of Denmark. Jones had recently returned from a grand European tour and been impressed by the classical Roman architecture in Italy, the Renaissance and the work of the 16th century architect Palladio. Thus the horrors of Palladian architecture arrived at our shores.
Correct
Work on the Queen’s house was started in 1616, as an annex to the Red brick Tudor Palace of Greenwich, but progress soon stopped when Queen Anne died in 1619. It was restarted in 1629 by Charles I for his queen Henrietta Maria. The Palace as a whole was progressively replaced and rebuilt by later developments – becoming Wren’s Royal Hospital for Seamen and the Old Royal Naval College from 1873 to 1998.
The image is from London from Greenwich Park, in 1809, by William Turner
Incorrect
Work on the Queen’s house was started in 1616, as an annex to the Red brick Tudor Palace of Greenwich, but progress soon stopped when Queen Anne died in 1619. It was restarted in 1629 by Charles I for his queen Henrietta Maria. The Palace as a whole was progressively replaced and rebuilt by later developments – becoming Wren’s Royal Hospital for Seamen and the Old Royal Naval College from 1873 to 1998.
The image is from London from Greenwich Park, in 1809, by William Turner
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Question 2 of 17
2. Question
1 pointsI am the wife of one of James’ ‘Trinity of Knaves’ as he referred to the 3 principal councillors of his earlier years as king of England. I was born in 1564 and married Richard Rich before he died and I married the king’s future councillor. I gained and used my influence at court, and knew well how to play the game of politics – and corruption. I was close to Robert Cecil, the Earl of Salisbury – some said too close.
Correct
Katherine Howard, nee Knyvett lived from 1564-1638. After the death of her first husband Richard Rich, she married Thomas Howard in 1580 – who would later be made Earl of Suffolk. The Howard faction was one of the most influential at James’ court. in 1599 she acquired at position at Queen Elizabeth’s household which she retained under Queen Anne.
She was a player was Catherine; very beautiful, and lively, entertaining, vivacious, charismatic; she used the influence of her husband, and became a close friend of Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury. Catherine knew how to use her influence, and for that reason I suspect she and Cecil were close – Cecil may have used her as a confidente and sounding board, and used her connections. But she was also avaricious, unscrupulous, and ultimately corrupt; for example, she managed to earn herself £1900 from Mr Turner when she procured the security for his debt of £20,000. Tragically for Catherine, an attack of smallpox in 1619 destroyed the beauty which she had also used to advantage. Clearly sympathy for her was not universal; Lady Anne Clifford ate a lemon and then remarked that the attack
‘spoiled that good face of hers which had brought to others much misery & to herself greatness which ended with much unhappiness’
Incorrect
Katherine Howard, nee Knyvett lived from 1564-1638. After the death of her first husband Richard Rich, she married Thomas Howard in 1580 – who would later be made Earl of Suffolk. The Howard faction was one of the most influential at James’ court. in 1599 she acquired at position at Queen Elizabeth’s household which she retained under Queen Anne.
She was a player was Catherine; very beautiful, and lively, entertaining, vivacious, charismatic; she used the influence of her husband, and became a close friend of Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury. Catherine knew how to use her influence, and for that reason I suspect she and Cecil were close – Cecil may have used her as a confidente and sounding board, and used her connections. But she was also avaricious, unscrupulous, and ultimately corrupt; for example, she managed to earn herself £1900 from Mr Turner when she procured the security for his debt of £20,000. Tragically for Catherine, an attack of smallpox in 1619 destroyed the beauty which she had also used to advantage. Clearly sympathy for her was not universal; Lady Anne Clifford ate a lemon and then remarked that the attack
‘spoiled that good face of hers which had brought to others much misery & to herself greatness which ended with much unhappiness’
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Question 3 of 17
3. Question
1 pointsI was a powerful public servant under two monarchs. To one I was her ‘little Pygmy’, to the second his ‘little beagle’. I lived in the house my father built at Theobalds until I gave it to my king for Hatfield. I helped foil the Gunpowder plot, an d was a peerless and tirelessly effective administrator.
Correct
Robert Cecil 1563 – 1612 was the son of Elizabeth’s right hand man William Cecil. He was a chip off the old block – knighted and appointed to the Privy Council by Elizabeth in 1591, and also learned his craft from Francis Walsingham. He was the natural leader of government then when James VI of Scotland became also King James I of Scotland, and was quickly essential for the king’s happiness; once when Cecil fell ill, James sat by his bed and urged him to get better for
if he should once fail there were no more safe hunting for the King of England
Visitors quickly recognised his pre-eminence; one ambassador remarked that
No-one seeks but to win his favour. It is thought that his power will last, for it is based not so much on the grace of His Majesty, as on an excellent prudence and ability which secures for him the universal opinion that he is worthy of his great authority and good fortune.
Cecil was rewarded for his loyalty and hard work by being made Earl of Salisbury. But he became progessively more unwell, until despite a visit to the waters at Bath he died in 1612.
Incorrect
Robert Cecil 1563 – 1612 was the son of Elizabeth’s right hand man William Cecil. He was a chip off the old block – knighted and appointed to the Privy Council by Elizabeth in 1591, and also learned his craft from Francis Walsingham. He was the natural leader of government then when James VI of Scotland became also King James I of Scotland, and was quickly essential for the king’s happiness; once when Cecil fell ill, James sat by his bed and urged him to get better for
if he should once fail there were no more safe hunting for the King of England
Visitors quickly recognised his pre-eminence; one ambassador remarked that
No-one seeks but to win his favour. It is thought that his power will last, for it is based not so much on the grace of His Majesty, as on an excellent prudence and ability which secures for him the universal opinion that he is worthy of his great authority and good fortune.
Cecil was rewarded for his loyalty and hard work by being made Earl of Salisbury. But he became progessively more unwell, until despite a visit to the waters at Bath he died in 1612.
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Question 4 of 17
4. Question
1 pointsI am a favourite of the king, from the family at Ferniehurst in the Borders, scion of an old Reiver clan. My big break came from a broken leg, my downfall administered by a Apothecary Boy to my previous mentor.
Correct
Robert Kerr (1587-1645) came from a family of Lairds who had fiercely supported Mary Queen of Scots – a sure way to James VI’s heart. On his way to London Kerr fell in with Thomas Overbury who became his mentor at court. in 1607, breaking his leg at a title brought Kerr to his king’s attention again, and struck my Kerr’s good looks, a bromance was on – love certainly; physical – who knows. Riches and awards followed, culminating in the earldom of Somerset.
Kerr’s political objectives were never very clear; he steered a line between the Howard factions and the opposing ‘Patriot’ party of Pembroke and Southampton. But it was love that brought him down once more in the form of the finely tuned leg of George Villiers, and his own passion for Frances Howard. When Frances was convicted of having Thomas Overbury murdered by an Apothecary Boy armed with a poisoned enema (of all things), Kerr was also convicted, sentenced to be executed and incarcerated in the Tower.
Kerr and Howard were both pardoned and withdrew from public life. Frances died in 1632, Robert in 1645.
Incorrect
Robert Kerr (1587-1645) came from a family of Lairds who had fiercely supported Mary Queen of Scots – a sure way to James VI’s heart. On his way to London Kerr fell in with Thomas Overbury who became his mentor at court. in 1607, breaking his leg at a title brought Kerr to his king’s attention again, and struck my Kerr’s good looks, a bromance was on – love certainly; physical – who knows. Riches and awards followed, culminating in the earldom of Somerset.
Kerr’s political objectives were never very clear; he steered a line between the Howard factions and the opposing ‘Patriot’ party of Pembroke and Southampton. But it was love that brought him down once more in the form of the finely tuned leg of George Villiers, and his own passion for Frances Howard. When Frances was convicted of having Thomas Overbury murdered by an Apothecary Boy armed with a poisoned enema (of all things), Kerr was also convicted, sentenced to be executed and incarcerated in the Tower.
Kerr and Howard were both pardoned and withdrew from public life. Frances died in 1632, Robert in 1645.
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Question 5 of 17
5. Question
1 pointsI am an entertainment combining narrative dance, music and dramatic scenery which reached its most elaborate form in England under the patronage of Queen Anne of Denmark
Correct
Masques began as improvised performances at court in the 16th century across Europe where courtiers would disguise themselves for fun and dancing. They developed narratives – at the Elizabethan court, these often focused on the unity between people and the monarch, which is a super Elizabethan thing to do.
With the arrival of Anne of Denmark, the narratives become more and more elaborate, featuring gods and goddesses from mythology and British history. Their purpose was to demonstrate the wisdom, and God-given right to rule, of the Stuart monarchs. Masques were staged at Whitehall and Hampton Court Palaces, designed by Inigo Jones and playwright Ben Johnson (who argued like crazy), with singing, acting, music, dialogue, amazing costume and above all, ‘special effects’ and moving scenery. Wild and fun they might have been, but the rooms were also stuffed full of people, hot, and oppressive. One contemporary reported that they were:
‘So crowded and uncomfortable that had it not been for our curiosity we would have given up or expired … every box was filled notably with the most noble and richly arrayed ladies… During the two hours of waiting we had leisure to examine them again and again.’
They were also drink fueled, to the point of incapacity for some performers; and a weird tradition developed to upset the table laid out with refreshments at the end, smashing glass platters with joyful abandon. So much for the court as the fount of virtue.
They also gave an opportunity for the Queen to let her hair down; her first masque in England was ‘Masque of Blacknesse’, in which she and her ladies appeared and danced with blacked-up faces. The outrage at the time was that the queen was dancing in front of an audience in flimsy clothing.
Incorrect
Masques began as improvised performances at court in the 16th century across Europe where courtiers would disguise themselves for fun and dancing. They developed narratives – at the Elizabethan court, these often focused on the unity between people and the monarch, which is a super Elizabethan thing to do.
With the arrival of Anne of Denmark, the narratives become more and more elaborate, featuring gods and goddesses from mythology and British history. Their purpose was to demonstrate the wisdom, and God-given right to rule, of the Stuart monarchs. Masques were staged at Whitehall and Hampton Court Palaces, designed by Inigo Jones and playwright Ben Johnson (who argued like crazy), with singing, acting, music, dialogue, amazing costume and above all, ‘special effects’ and moving scenery. Wild and fun they might have been, but the rooms were also stuffed full of people, hot, and oppressive. One contemporary reported that they were:
‘So crowded and uncomfortable that had it not been for our curiosity we would have given up or expired … every box was filled notably with the most noble and richly arrayed ladies… During the two hours of waiting we had leisure to examine them again and again.’
They were also drink fueled, to the point of incapacity for some performers; and a weird tradition developed to upset the table laid out with refreshments at the end, smashing glass platters with joyful abandon. So much for the court as the fount of virtue.
They also gave an opportunity for the Queen to let her hair down; her first masque in England was ‘Masque of Blacknesse’, in which she and her ladies appeared and danced with blacked-up faces. The outrage at the time was that the queen was dancing in front of an audience in flimsy clothing.
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Question 6 of 17
6. Question
1 pointsI am a church set close to the fields where a thousand ordinary men and women gathered in 1607 and busily set about destroying hedges and reconverting land from pasture to tillage, in express defiance of a royal proclamation to disperse. I am a memorial of one of the less well known popular uprisings.
Correct
Enclosure riots were a common occurrence from the 16th century, as the economics of farming changed away from arable to pasture and livestock. Usually riots were dealt with at a local level, and might involve compromise and agreement – and were designed by villagers to be a signal to landowners to negotiate.
But sometimes they became something more; and the 1607 Midlands rising was one, as villagers in Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire reacted to a brutal surge of enclosures, combined with a period of dearth. In Northamptonshire alone, 27,000 acres had been enclosed, 350 farms removed, over 1500 people evicted. Villager knew full well what encloures meant for them – evictions, rent racking, and a high price of corn. So on this occasion things got out of hand, and thousands of people took to the fields to resist their landlords; at Newton Fields, this meant many deaths in the fields, and subsequently the church register reported that
Many were taken prisoners who afterwards were hanged and quartered and their quarters set up at Northampton, Oundle, Thrapston and other places
Incorrect
Enclosure riots were a common occurrence from the 16th century, as the economics of farming changed away from arable to pasture and livestock. Usually riots were dealt with at a local level, and might involve compromise and agreement – and were designed by villagers to be a signal to landowners to negotiate.
But sometimes they became something more; and the 1607 Midlands rising was one, as villagers in Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire reacted to a brutal surge of enclosures, combined with a period of dearth. In Northamptonshire alone, 27,000 acres had been enclosed, 350 farms removed, over 1500 people evicted. Villager knew full well what encloures meant for them – evictions, rent racking, and a high price of corn. So on this occasion things got out of hand, and thousands of people took to the fields to resist their landlords; at Newton Fields, this meant many deaths in the fields, and subsequently the church register reported that
Many were taken prisoners who afterwards were hanged and quartered and their quarters set up at Northampton, Oundle, Thrapston and other places
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Question 7 of 17
7. Question
1 pointsI am the only surviving segment of Whitehall palace, the main palace of monarchs from 1530, when Henry VIII half inched it from Wolsey, to 1698. I was designed by Inigo Jones, and completed by 1622, my purpose to house royal entertainments, masques and formal dinners.
Correct
The Banqueting house was part of the trend to stage grand events and entertainments, as much as to host formal dinners. The absence of such a venue in the palace of Whitehall was a bit of an oddity in European terms – but Henry VIII had preferred to set up temporary purpose built structres.
James and Anne of Den mark loved increasingly elaborate and risque masques – and so in 1608 commissioned a grand banqueting house to be attached to the rambling and chaotic Whitehall Palace.. The first one burned down in 1619, and anyway, James I had never liked it. Instead he turned to the very fashionable Inigo Jones, who completed the building you can still see today.
Charles and Henrietta Maria loved masques every bit as much, and lavished time and money on the Banqueting House. And as Charles was a keen and talented patron of the arts, he commissioned Peter Paul Rubens to paint the ceiling, which he completed in 1636. This however, was near the beginning of the end for both Charles and royal masques; civil war was coming, and then in 1649 Charles wlaked through the hall, on his way to his execution.
Incorrect
The Banqueting house was part of the trend to stage grand events and entertainments, as much as to host formal dinners. The absence of such a venue in the palace of Whitehall was a bit of an oddity in European terms – but Henry VIII had preferred to set up temporary purpose built structres.
James and Anne of Den mark loved increasingly elaborate and risque masques – and so in 1608 commissioned a grand banqueting house to be attached to the rambling and chaotic Whitehall Palace.. The first one burned down in 1619, and anyway, James I had never liked it. Instead he turned to the very fashionable Inigo Jones, who completed the building you can still see today.
Charles and Henrietta Maria loved masques every bit as much, and lavished time and money on the Banqueting House. And as Charles was a keen and talented patron of the arts, he commissioned Peter Paul Rubens to paint the ceiling, which he completed in 1636. This however, was near the beginning of the end for both Charles and royal masques; civil war was coming, and then in 1649 Charles wlaked through the hall, on his way to his execution.
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Question 8 of 17
8. Question
1 pointsI was the daughter of the Earl of Lennox, and therefore had a claim to James’ throne. I was the granddaughter of Bess of Hardwick, and so brought up in Derbyshire. I left a large collection of letters,and was known and praised by poets such as Aemilia Lanyer. But my claim to James’ throne blighted my life and I secretly contracted an unwise marriage that saw me consigned to the Tower.
Correct
Arbella’s claim to the throne blighted her life; neither Elizabeth nor James were keen to see her marry, though some projects were discussed. Elizabeth banished her from court for chatting happily with the Earl of Essex and sent her away from court. These restrictions clearly chafed; she was a knowledgeable scholar, studying Latin, Italian, French, Spanish, Greek, and Hebrew, and she argued furiously with Bess of Hardwick, struggling against what she began to see as something not far short of imprisonment. Her route to escape was to plan to marry a Seymour – another family under suspicion for distant claims to the throne, and an unwise choice for Arbella. But what could she do?
Her situation became more complicated when Lord Cobham plotted to place Arbella on the throne to replace James – a plot Arbella dismissed as risible and reported immediately. But eventually in 1610 she despairwd and tried to elope with an unsuitable boy of 22, William Seymour. He was hunted by the agents of the crown, and Arabella tried to flee to France with him, but she waited too long for her paramour, and so she was captured and incarcerated in the Tower. By 1615, she was dead.
She left a collection of letters, now in the Bodleian Library. The Bidleian writes that they ‘
‘Range from lively familiar letters to carefully drafted court letters, from warmth and affection to anger and defiance. They reflect an intelligent and articulate woman who was willing to challenge convention and the crown.’
Incorrect
Arbella’s claim to the throne blighted her life; neither Elizabeth nor James were keen to see her marry, though some projects were discussed. Elizabeth banished her from court for chatting happily with the Earl of Essex and sent her away from court. These restrictions clearly chafed; she was a knowledgeable scholar, studying Latin, Italian, French, Spanish, Greek, and Hebrew, and she argued furiously with Bess of Hardwick, struggling against what she began to see as something not far short of imprisonment. Her route to escape was to plan to marry a Seymour – another family under suspicion for distant claims to the throne, and an unwise choice for Arbella. But what could she do?
Her situation became more complicated when Lord Cobham plotted to place Arbella on the throne to replace James – a plot Arbella dismissed as risible and reported immediately. But eventually in 1610 she despairwd and tried to elope with an unsuitable boy of 22, William Seymour. He was hunted by the agents of the crown, and Arabella tried to flee to France with him, but she waited too long for her paramour, and so she was captured and incarcerated in the Tower. By 1615, she was dead.
She left a collection of letters, now in the Bodleian Library. The Bidleian writes that they ‘
‘Range from lively familiar letters to carefully drafted court letters, from warmth and affection to anger and defiance. They reflect an intelligent and articulate woman who was willing to challenge convention and the crown.’
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Question 9 of 17
9. Question
1 pointsI am married to Alice Barnham, and an English philosopher and statesman. My political career reached its zenith in James I’s reign, I served as Attorney General and as Lord Chancellor of England. But my career came to an end at the hands of Parliament, when I was impeached and my king deserted me. I spent the rest of my life writing
Correct
How to summarise a man as famous and prolific as Francis Bacon (1561-1626)? Maybe it is acceptable to divide his public life into the political and ‘philosophical. In his political career Bacon was ambitious and used his contacts and patrons (such as Lord Burghley) as hard as he could; and despite being set back in Elizabeth’s reign by arguing in parliament fiercely against her demands for taxation, he reached the apogee of his career under James VI & I, becoming Attorney General and Chancellor. But like all political careers, his ended in failure – impeached by parliament, and deserted by his king so that he retired from political life in 1621.
In his life and writings, he was a dedicated Anglican and. In his judicial life he often defended the powers of the king, especially from the parliaments of 1610, and came into conflict with Edward Coke. But nonetheless, he saw law as the guardian of the rights of the people, and he had a strong communitarian streak, as shown for his efforts to prevent enclosure, and speaking in favour of the spreading of wealth more widely through society.
But it’s for his philosophy of science for which he is best known; as the ODNB remarks
“Two main strands can be distinguished in Bacon’s impact on the Western philosophical tradition. First, his theory of scientific method in general, and induction in particular, was much commented on in subsequent epistemological debate. Second, and more important, Bacon’s impact on Western philosophy is to be found in the ideological part of his philosophy—the active ethos with which he infused modern science.”
Contemporaries and later commentators disagree about his personal life; many would conclude that he was homosexual, which at various times of course drew criticism. His marriage to Alice was also troubled – he disinherited her when he discovered her affair with John Underhill. For some contemporaries, he was “cold and arrogant, extravagant and pompous”. Other’s recognised his genius such as Ben Johnson who wrote of him “one of the greatest men and most worthy of admiration that hath been in many ages”
Incorrect
How to summarise a man as famous and prolific as Francis Bacon (1561-1626)? Maybe it is acceptable to divide his public life into the political and ‘philosophical. In his political career Bacon was ambitious and used his contacts and patrons (such as Lord Burghley) as hard as he could; and despite being set back in Elizabeth’s reign by arguing in parliament fiercely against her demands for taxation, he reached the apogee of his career under James VI & I, becoming Attorney General and Chancellor. But like all political careers, his ended in failure – impeached by parliament, and deserted by his king so that he retired from political life in 1621.
In his life and writings, he was a dedicated Anglican and. In his judicial life he often defended the powers of the king, especially from the parliaments of 1610, and came into conflict with Edward Coke. But nonetheless, he saw law as the guardian of the rights of the people, and he had a strong communitarian streak, as shown for his efforts to prevent enclosure, and speaking in favour of the spreading of wealth more widely through society.
But it’s for his philosophy of science for which he is best known; as the ODNB remarks
“Two main strands can be distinguished in Bacon’s impact on the Western philosophical tradition. First, his theory of scientific method in general, and induction in particular, was much commented on in subsequent epistemological debate. Second, and more important, Bacon’s impact on Western philosophy is to be found in the ideological part of his philosophy—the active ethos with which he infused modern science.”
Contemporaries and later commentators disagree about his personal life; many would conclude that he was homosexual, which at various times of course drew criticism. His marriage to Alice was also troubled – he disinherited her when he discovered her affair with John Underhill. For some contemporaries, he was “cold and arrogant, extravagant and pompous”. Other’s recognised his genius such as Ben Johnson who wrote of him “one of the greatest men and most worthy of admiration that hath been in many ages”
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Question 10 of 17
10. Question
1 pointsThe product of 47 contributors, my influence has lasted longer any English monarch or politician, since my words are still used by English speakers daily.
Correct
How to sum up the King James Version of the bible at the end of a quiz? James commissioned the bible as a result of his Hampton Court Conference in 1604, seeking to promote unity among the protestant churches. 47 scholars actively participated, and focused very strongly on the original Hebrew versions, often translating literally. Nonetheless William Tyndale’s influence remained very strong. It’s quality contributed towards its growing success and replacement of other bibles in English, including the Douai vwrsion of the Vulgate and the Geneva version. Despite the fact that its use was never mandated. Not until the early 20th century did its use begin to wane, as it’s language began to be seen as outdated.
Though I was amused to learn that in 1631, a printing error led to a version called the Wicked Bible or the Sinner’s Bible, because it left the ‘not’ out of one of the 10 Commandments. The one about adultery. Oops.
The lovely David Crystal tried to quantify it’s influence – finding 257 examples of phrased in current speech; a BBC article notes that
“The Sun says Aston Villa “refused to give up the ghost”. Wendy Richard calls her EastEnders character Pauline Fowler “the salt of the earth”. The England cricket coach tells reporters, “You can’t put words in my mouth.” Daily Mirror fashion pages call Tilda Swinton “a law unto herself”.
But – Crystal also found that only 18 on these phrases were unique to the KJV – the rest came from William Tyndale. David also found that the KJV didn’t coin that many words – only about 40 (such as ‘backsliding’). Whereas Billy the Bard, by comparison, introduced something like 1,000 new words. In David Crystal’s view, that may be because while Shakespeare looked for new ways of expression, the KJV scholars consciously looked backwards, to translate literally, and to be as linguistically conservative as possible.
Incorrect
How to sum up the King James Version of the bible at the end of a quiz? James commissioned the bible as a result of his Hampton Court Conference in 1604, seeking to promote unity among the protestant churches. 47 scholars actively participated, and focused very strongly on the original Hebrew versions, often translating literally. Nonetheless William Tyndale’s influence remained very strong. It’s quality contributed towards its growing success and replacement of other bibles in English, including the Douai vwrsion of the Vulgate and the Geneva version. Despite the fact that its use was never mandated. Not until the early 20th century did its use begin to wane, as it’s language began to be seen as outdated.
Though I was amused to learn that in 1631, a printing error led to a version called the Wicked Bible or the Sinner’s Bible, because it left the ‘not’ out of one of the 10 Commandments. The one about adultery. Oops.
The lovely David Crystal tried to quantify it’s influence – finding 257 examples of phrased in current speech; a BBC article notes that
“The Sun says Aston Villa “refused to give up the ghost”. Wendy Richard calls her EastEnders character Pauline Fowler “the salt of the earth”. The England cricket coach tells reporters, “You can’t put words in my mouth.” Daily Mirror fashion pages call Tilda Swinton “a law unto herself”.
But – Crystal also found that only 18 on these phrases were unique to the KJV – the rest came from William Tyndale. David also found that the KJV didn’t coin that many words – only about 40 (such as ‘backsliding’). Whereas Billy the Bard, by comparison, introduced something like 1,000 new words. In David Crystal’s view, that may be because while Shakespeare looked for new ways of expression, the KJV scholars consciously looked backwards, to translate literally, and to be as linguistically conservative as possible.
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Question 11 of 17
11. Question
1 pointsI am a royal proclamation issued by James I in 1617 which outraged some Puritans and also upset Catholic recusants.
Correct
In 1617 while travelling south from Scotland, James encountered a fierce debate between local puritans and villagers – about how the Sabbath should be used. Villagers had been used to using Sunday not just for church, but also for entertainment. Many puritans strongly disapproved of such as thing – this was the Lord’s day.
Now James disliked both Puritans and Catholic Recusants; he saw both groups as divisive, and doubted their loyalty to the monarch. So he issued a proclamation, which would be re-issued by his son Charles I, and which became known as the Book of Sports’. He condemned the actions of puritans and ‘precise people’ and declared that ‘no lawful recreation shall be barred to our good people.’ These would include:
‘…dancing, either men or women; archery for men, leaping, vaulting, or any other such harmless recreation, nor from having of May-games, Whitsun-ales, and Morris-dances; and the setting up of May-poles and other sports therewith used: so as the same be had in due and convenient time, without impediment or neglect of divine service: and that women shall have leave to carry rushes to the church for the decorating of it, according to their old custom; but withal we do here account still as prohibited all unlawful games to be used upon Sundays only, as bear and bull-baitings, interludes, and at all times in the meaner sort of people by law prohibited, bowling.’
He was careful also to condemn ‘Papists’ and recusants, but his main aim was to undermine the puritans. Quite what he had against bowling I’m not sure – but bowling was associated with the alehouse, so maybe that was it.
Incorrect
In 1617 while travelling south from Scotland, James encountered a fierce debate between local puritans and villagers – about how the Sabbath should be used. Villagers had been used to using Sunday not just for church, but also for entertainment. Many puritans strongly disapproved of such as thing – this was the Lord’s day.
Now James disliked both Puritans and Catholic Recusants; he saw both groups as divisive, and doubted their loyalty to the monarch. So he issued a proclamation, which would be re-issued by his son Charles I, and which became known as the Book of Sports’. He condemned the actions of puritans and ‘precise people’ and declared that ‘no lawful recreation shall be barred to our good people.’ These would include:
‘…dancing, either men or women; archery for men, leaping, vaulting, or any other such harmless recreation, nor from having of May-games, Whitsun-ales, and Morris-dances; and the setting up of May-poles and other sports therewith used: so as the same be had in due and convenient time, without impediment or neglect of divine service: and that women shall have leave to carry rushes to the church for the decorating of it, according to their old custom; but withal we do here account still as prohibited all unlawful games to be used upon Sundays only, as bear and bull-baitings, interludes, and at all times in the meaner sort of people by law prohibited, bowling.’
He was careful also to condemn ‘Papists’ and recusants, but his main aim was to undermine the puritans. Quite what he had against bowling I’m not sure – but bowling was associated with the alehouse, so maybe that was it.
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Question 12 of 17
12. Question
1 pointsI was the scion of an old but minor Gentry family from Brooksby in Leicestershire, who became the most powerful commoner in England under James I and his son Charles
Correct
George Villiers (1592-1628) was one of our most famous royal favourites, who rose from a minor gentry family to become the Duke of Buckingham, and the arbiter of politics at Whitehall and Westminster before his assassination in 1628.
He owed his eminence initially entirely because James took a shine to him when he visited the palace of Apethrope on a hunting trip in 1614. His rise to power was swift ad dramatic; by 1617 he was Earl of Buckingham, Lord Admiral in 1622 and Duke in 1623. James called him ‘Steenie’ after St Stwphen, who was reputed to have the ‘face of an angel’. James certainly loved his Steenie – “I naturally so love your person, and adore all your other parts, which are more than ever one man had” he wrote. Buckingham certainly cut a magnificent figure at court, and was to capture the heart and hero worship of the young Charles also.
Buckingham exercised his influence to direct policy, but also to enrich himself, his followers and family; his pre-eminence and his relatively lowly background did not endear him to many He was deeply influential in Ireland and pushed forward the policy of the plantations, as well as using his influence there to enrich himself. Buckingham was an ardent protestant, leading to a possibly unwise and unproductive involvement in French politics, to support the Huguenots at La Rochelle – a complete military failure. Despite this, Buckingham accompanied Prince Charles on a madcap, and again unsuccessful, escapade to the Spanish Court to try (and fail) to negotiate a Spanish marriage.
Buckingham was charismatic, ambitious, self confident and a fine patron of the arts, supporting the work among others, of Peter Paul Reubens. He married Katherine Manners and together they had 4 children that survived into majority.
Incorrect
George Villiers (1592-1628) was one of our most famous royal favourites, who rose from a minor gentry family to become the Duke of Buckingham, and the arbiter of politics at Whitehall and Westminster before his assassination in 1628.
He owed his eminence initially entirely because James took a shine to him when he visited the palace of Apethrope on a hunting trip in 1614. His rise to power was swift ad dramatic; by 1617 he was Earl of Buckingham, Lord Admiral in 1622 and Duke in 1623. James called him ‘Steenie’ after St Stwphen, who was reputed to have the ‘face of an angel’. James certainly loved his Steenie – “I naturally so love your person, and adore all your other parts, which are more than ever one man had” he wrote. Buckingham certainly cut a magnificent figure at court, and was to capture the heart and hero worship of the young Charles also.
Buckingham exercised his influence to direct policy, but also to enrich himself, his followers and family; his pre-eminence and his relatively lowly background did not endear him to many He was deeply influential in Ireland and pushed forward the policy of the plantations, as well as using his influence there to enrich himself. Buckingham was an ardent protestant, leading to a possibly unwise and unproductive involvement in French politics, to support the Huguenots at La Rochelle – a complete military failure. Despite this, Buckingham accompanied Prince Charles on a madcap, and again unsuccessful, escapade to the Spanish Court to try (and fail) to negotiate a Spanish marriage.
Buckingham was charismatic, ambitious, self confident and a fine patron of the arts, supporting the work among others, of Peter Paul Reubens. He married Katherine Manners and together they had 4 children that survived into majority.
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Question 13 of 17
13. Question
1 pointsI am a the plan to put restore Catholicism which has lead to consistent community fun and partying for 400 years or more.
Correct
Well it’s the Gunpowder Treason and Plot, obviously, 5th November 1605. Robert Catesby and his fellow plotters planned to blow James and Sons sky high, along with 400 or so MPs. There’d be a number of Catholics among them, but hey, collateral damage is to be expected Catesby decided:
‘rather then the project should not take effect, if they were as dere to him as his own sonne … they should be also blowen uppe’
The plot came close to succeeding before Guy Fawkes was discovered in the cellars, and some of the plotters died in a hail of bullets, others on the gallows.
The result is a thoroughly lovely party every year – Bonfire Night is the most common name though in places like Lewes the celebrations are a little more crazy! Ir’s a hoot, so Catesby did not die in vain.
Incorrect
Well it’s the Gunpowder Treason and Plot, obviously, 5th November 1605. Robert Catesby and his fellow plotters planned to blow James and Sons sky high, along with 400 or so MPs. There’d be a number of Catholics among them, but hey, collateral damage is to be expected Catesby decided:
‘rather then the project should not take effect, if they were as dere to him as his own sonne … they should be also blowen uppe’
The plot came close to succeeding before Guy Fawkes was discovered in the cellars, and some of the plotters died in a hail of bullets, others on the gallows.
The result is a thoroughly lovely party every year – Bonfire Night is the most common name though in places like Lewes the celebrations are a little more crazy! Ir’s a hoot, so Catesby did not die in vain.
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Question 14 of 17
14. Question
1 pointsI am a petition of which the king was aware, which would form the background of Commons resistance to royal absolutism and to the Petition of Right in 1628 under Charles I
Correct
‘The Form of Apology and Satisfaction’ was drafted for discussion in parliament but never presented to the King – James prorogued parliament in 1604 before it could be agreed in the Commons. And for some MPs it went too far for others not far enough. Nonetheless it is an important document, as recorded in the parliamentary journal; because it formed a fundamental statement of how parliament saw itself and the constitution.
They roundly rejected the idea that their rights and privileges were held by the grace of the king – they were their ‘right and due inheritance’; it insisted on their right to be the sole judge of election returns; on the freedom of elections, of parliamentary speech and immunity of MPs from arrest. It was essentially a conservative document, in the sense that the way MPs saw it was that they were faced by an innovative king, seeking to arrogate new powers to himself; and that it was parliament that sought to maintain the status quo, against the background of rising absolutism on the continent.
James tore a strip off the Commons:
I will not thank where I think no thanks due…you see I am not of such a stock as to praise fools…You see how in many things you did not well. The best apology maker of you all, for all his eloquence, cannot make all good. You have done things rashly …I wish you would use your liberty with more modesty in time to come
James’ relationship would continue to be difficult, and he sought to raise money without calling parliament. James’ profligacy fueled the constitutional debate, such as the argument about customs impositions and whether or not they must only be imposed with parliamentary consent. These disputes led to parliaments such as the Addled Parliament in 1614 which was dissolved without enacting any legislation at all, and would lead to the Petition of Right in 1628
Incorrect
‘The Form of Apology and Satisfaction’ was drafted for discussion in parliament but never presented to the King – James prorogued parliament in 1604 before it could be agreed in the Commons. And for some MPs it went too far for others not far enough. Nonetheless it is an important document, as recorded in the parliamentary journal; because it formed a fundamental statement of how parliament saw itself and the constitution.
They roundly rejected the idea that their rights and privileges were held by the grace of the king – they were their ‘right and due inheritance’; it insisted on their right to be the sole judge of election returns; on the freedom of elections, of parliamentary speech and immunity of MPs from arrest. It was essentially a conservative document, in the sense that the way MPs saw it was that they were faced by an innovative king, seeking to arrogate new powers to himself; and that it was parliament that sought to maintain the status quo, against the background of rising absolutism on the continent.
James tore a strip off the Commons:
I will not thank where I think no thanks due…you see I am not of such a stock as to praise fools…You see how in many things you did not well. The best apology maker of you all, for all his eloquence, cannot make all good. You have done things rashly …I wish you would use your liberty with more modesty in time to come
James’ relationship would continue to be difficult, and he sought to raise money without calling parliament. James’ profligacy fueled the constitutional debate, such as the argument about customs impositions and whether or not they must only be imposed with parliamentary consent. These disputes led to parliaments such as the Addled Parliament in 1614 which was dissolved without enacting any legislation at all, and would lead to the Petition of Right in 1628
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Question 15 of 17
15. Question
1 pointsKing James VIth ordered a new flag to be designed to reflect his new status as the king of Scotland, England, Ireland and Prince of Wales. And proposed to parliament a new Union, Unus rex…Unus Grex and una lex. How as James’ styled as a result of his efforts?
Correct
Neither Scottish nor English parliaments reacted well to James’ vision of a complete union – of church, law and state as well as Monarch. The Scots feared becoming a province of England, the English tradition of reverence for their Parliament and Common Law made them reject the idea of a union that might sweep those institutions away or change them irrevocably.
So James achieved very little. But not nothing; the efforts of he and his queen Anne brought the nobility of both kingdoms much closer together; the idea had been mooted; and in practical terms James insisted on styling himself King of Great Britain
Incorrect
Neither Scottish nor English parliaments reacted well to James’ vision of a complete union – of church, law and state as well as Monarch. The Scots feared becoming a province of England, the English tradition of reverence for their Parliament and Common Law made them reject the idea of a union that might sweep those institutions away or change them irrevocably.
So James achieved very little. But not nothing; the efforts of he and his queen Anne brought the nobility of both kingdoms much closer together; the idea had been mooted; and in practical terms James insisted on styling himself King of Great Britain
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Question 16 of 17
16. Question
1 pointsI am a notorious event in the history of Britain and Ireland, for whom the rebellion, death or flight of lords such as these (Rory O’Donnell, Hugh O’Neill, Cahir O’Doherty), cleared the way.
Correct
The flight of the Earls of Tyronne and Tyrconnel in 1607, and the failed rebellion of Cahir O’Doherty in 1608, allowed the Crown to confiscate large swathes of Ulster. Arthur Chichester’s original plan was to resettle the lands with model farms and towns with a largely native population; but by the time the plantations went ahead, the plantations were dominated by English and Scots. Over the first 40 years of the 17th century, maybe 100,000 British (about 70,000 English and Welsh, and 30,000 Scots) may have taken land in Ireland, mainly but not exclusively in Ulster.
King James’ hope was that the plantations would create a
‘Mixt conversation of different nations one amongst another’ to help ‘induce obedience, civilitie and Christian policie into those parts to the welfare and tranquilitie of the whole realme’
The real fruit of this enforced seizure of land would be much more bitter.
Incorrect
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Question 17 of 17
17. Question
1 pointsI am a vibrant, ever changing form of entertainment, particularly in London, fed by a rich variety of artists such as Ben Jonson, John Webster, Thomas Middleton and William Rowley.
Correct
Although some have identified a decline in theatre after the reign of Elizabeth, Jacobean theatre remained vibrant and enormously popular. By James’ reign London had over 20 theatres, with scores of playwrights producing works many of which are still performed today such as plays like ‘The Alchemist’ by Ben Jonson. Some perceive a change in the nature of the drama, fed by changing appetites of the audience; plays were becoming more edgy and human situations were becoming more exaggerated. Extreme violence was being portrayed on the stage; examples might be John Webster’s ‘The White Devil’ and ‘The Duchess of Malfi’, with highly intelligent characters perpetrating crimes and acts of violence in the pursuit of their ambitions. Even Shakespeare seemed to feed the trend with plays like ‘Othello’.
Incorrect
I didn’t do as well as hoped….David, I will listen to the HofE from the beginning(again) …I promise to do better next time (sigh)
Ha! I could make you suffer THAT much!
Not so bad for a girl from the colonies…
Superb actually, Right at the top of the leaderboard!
That was fun. I also didn’t do as well as I hoped — I’ll have to more attentive.
I only got 11 and I cheated as much as I could
Ha! Obviously cheating is in the finest tradition of the quiz. Sounds as though you need to work on the cheating skills?!
That was fun. Nice to find I have been listening pretty carefully.
I didn’t do as well as I expected to. “Pride goeth before a fall and a haughty spirit before destruction”, I guess.
I did not know the whole quote, so this, Sarah, this is what they mean when they talk about the learning community!
Great fun! And as a ”yank” I feel I did pretty well!! 🙂
P.S. (and didn’t cheat once)
Good fun helped immensely having a daughter whose Cambridge M Phil in Early Modern England aided my attempt. Cheating, I think not!
Great Quiz! I was a full 0.8 or so above average so feeling very proud of myself – I strive to reach the giddy heights mediocrity!
It’s a worthy aim. Even noble.
Bottom of the leaderboard. Like most poor students, I blame my teacher. Just kidding, l love David. A big issue might be that I reside in the nation that’s undefeated in wars with England.
I plead guilty! Though need to correct you on the last point of course, and raise 1812, where you got your arses kicked but then followed the time honoured protocol of declaring victory anyway…
Nah, we beat you in (unofficial) extra time.
I enjoyed that. A lot of judicious guessing!
I confess that I had an advantage, having listened to James’ reign on Pax Britannica. That said, I should have done better than 11!
Thanks for doing this… I did terrible, but it was fun, lots of guessing…poor guessing. I made the mistake of overthinking, and double guessing my first instinct, sure way to change the correct answer to the wrong one…it’s good for me to suck at something – keeps me humble! Take care!
11 of 17 – that’s what I deserve for getting all my historical knowledge of my ancestors’ homelands from Winston.
Pretty respectable I’d have said
I’m sorry to say, David, this WAS fun, contrary to your warnings! Tut tut
Darn it! Must try harder…
As a Yank, I’m not that upset with my 9. I got two right because of listening to The History of England podcast!! But I think I got more right from just dumb guessing.
It’s a triumph. And dumb guessing is much underrated anyway – you could call it instead an educated guess!