Henry VIII and Francis I True or False Quiz

As Friday was the anniversary of the beginning of the Field of Cloth of Gold, that historic meeting between King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France. I thought I'd test your knowledge of these two Renaissance kings.

Q1) True or false: Francis I outlived Henry VIII?

True

False

Correct! Francis died on 31st March 1547, whereas Henry died on 28th January 1547.

Wrong! It's true! Francis died on 31st March 1547, whereas Henry died on 28th January 1547.

Q2) Henry VIII was younger than Francis I?

True

False

Correct! Henry was born in 1491 and Francis was born in 1494.

Wrong! Henry was born in 1491 and Francis was born in 1494.

Q3) True or false: Francis I said "Of all things, nothing remains to me but honour and life, which is safe", which is the origin of the abbreviated "All is lost save honour"?

True

False

Correct! He wrote it to his mother after the Battle of Pavia.

Wrong! It's true. He wrote it to his mother after the Battle of Pavia.

Q4) True or false: Francis I was nicknamed "Le Roi Grand Nez" due to his large nose?

True

False

Correct! It's translation is King Big Nose!

Wrong! It's true. It's translation is King Big Nose!

Q5) True or false: In May 1515, Henry VIII quizzed the Venetian ambassador on Francis I's looks, asking "Is he as tall as I am? Is he as stout? What sort of legs has he?"?

True

False

Correct! He went on to show the ambassador his own legs, saying "Look here! and I have also a good calf to my leg."

Wrong! It's true! He went on to show the ambassador his own legs, saying "Look here! and I have also a good calf to my leg."

Q6) True or false: Francis I was married three times?

True

False

Correct! He was married twice. His wives were Claude, daughter of King Louis XII of France and Duchess Anne of Brittany, and Eleanor of Austria, sister of the Emperor Charles V.

Wrong! It's false. He was married twice. His wives were Claude, daughter of King Louis XII of France and Duchess Anne of Brittany, and Eleanor of Austria, sister of the Emperor Charles V.

Q7) True or false: In 1518, Henry VIII vowed that he would grow a beard so that the two kings could compare beards when they met?

True

False

Correct! But Henry was persuaded by Catherine of Aragon to shave it off.

Wrong! It's true. But Henry was persuaded by Catherine of Aragon to shave it off.

Q8) True or false: Francis I's son and successor Henry II died before Henry VIII's son and successor, Edward VI?

True

False

Correct! Henry II died in 1559, whereas Edward died in 1553.

Wrong! It's false, Henry II died in 1559, whereas Edward died in 1553.

Q9) True or false: Both Francis I and Henry VIII succeeded their fathers as kings?

True

False

Correct! Francis succeeded his father-in-law (also his father's cousin), Louis XII, whereas Henry VIII DID succeed his father, Henry VII.

Wrong! Francis succeeded his father-in-law (also his father's cousin), Louis XII, whereas Henry VIII DID succeed his father, Henry VII.

Q10) True or false: Francis I launched an invasion on England in 1545?

True

False

Correct! It was not successful, although Henry lost his ship "The Mary Rose" in the Battle of the Solent.

Wrong! It's true! It was not successful, although Henry lost his ship "The Mary Rose" in the Battle of the Solent.