Background Information - 1120s. 1130s, 1140s

Question 1

Who supported Henry I of England in the Franco-Norman conflict in 1123?

Answer 1

Emperor Henry V

This support was part of the broader political dynamics of the Holy Roman Empire and its relations with England.

Question 2

What happened to Emperor Henry V in May 1125?

Answer 2

He died while dealing with internal disputes

His death led to significant political changes within the Holy Roman Empire.

Question 3

Who was elected as Lothar II after Henry V’s death?

Answer 3

Lothar of Saxony

His election marked a shift in power dynamics in the Holy Roman Empire.

Question 4

What rebellion did Lothar II face by 1127?

Answer 4

A rebellion from Conrad of Hohenstaufen

Conrad was declared king by his supporters, indicating a challenge to Lothar’s authority.

Question 5

What was the outcome of Louis VI’s intervention in Flanders after the Count’s assassination in 1127?

Answer 5

Louis VI installed William Clito, who was ultimately unpopular and faced resistance

This intervention did not achieve its intended goals.

Question 6

Who led the rebellion against William Clito in Flanders?

Answer 6

Thierry of Alsace

Thierry’s actions reflected the local discontent with William Clito’s rule.

Question 7

What significant event occurred in November 1120 affecting Henry I’s succession?

Answer 7

William Aethling died in the White Ship disaster

This event left Henry I without a clear heir, complicating the succession crisis.

Question 8

What was the result of Henry I’s second marriage in 1121?

Answer 8

Produced no children

This further exacerbated the succession crisis for Henry I.

Question 9

Who did Matilda marry in 1127 to restore the Anglo-Angevin alliance?

Answer 9

Geoffrey of Anjou

This marriage aimed to strengthen ties between England and Anjou.

Question 10

What happened to William II of Apulia in 1127?

Answer 10

He died childless

His death allowed Roger II to claim all of his lands.

Question 11

What did Roger II achieve by 1130?

Answer 11

Established the Kingdom of Sicily

This marked a significant political development in Southern Italy.

Question 12

What was the Concordat of Worms negotiated by Calixtus II?

Answer 12

Resolved the investiture controversy

It established the roles of papacy and secular rulers in investiture.

Question 13

What was confirmed at the First Lateran Council in March 1123?

Answer 13

The compromise of the Concordat of Worms

This council was a significant moment in church history.

Question 14

What significant action did Honorius II take at the Council of Troyes in 1129?

Answer 14

Officially recognized the Knights Templar

This recognition placed them under papal authority, influencing the Crusades.

Question 15

Fill in the blank: Henry I’s alliance with Anjou weakened after the death of _______.

Answer 15

William Aethling

Question 16

True or False: Roger II faced no opposition when claiming his lands after William II’s death.

Answer 16

False

He faced opposition from Pope Honorius II before being recognized as ruler.

Question 17

What was the role of Emperor Henry V in the context of the Holy Roman Empire?

Answer 17

He supported Henry I of England and faced challenges from French nobles

His reign was marked by military and political conflicts.

Question 18

What did the Papacy control according to the Concordat of Worms?

Answer 18

Investiture by ring and crozier (spiritual)

This was a key point in the balance of power between church and state.

Question 19

Who accepted Pope Innocent II as legitimate in March 1131?

Answer 19

Lothar III of Germany

Lothar III was the Holy Roman Emperor during this time.

Question 20

What significant event happened in June 1133 related to Lothar III?

Answer 20

Lothar III was crowned Holy Roman Emperor

This followed his invasion of Italy to restore Pope Innocent II.

Question 21

What was the outcome of Lothar III’s invasion of Southern Italy in 1136?

Answer 21

Faced revolts and ultimately failed

Byzantine support did not lead to success against local resistance.

Question 22

What was Lothar III’s fate after his return to Germany in December 1137?

Answer 22

He died

His death left a power vacuum in the Holy Roman Empire.

Question 23

Who was elected as King Conrad III in March 1138?

Answer 23

Conrad of Hohenstaufen

This election followed the opposition to Lothar’s intended successor, Henry the Proud.

Question 24

What significant event occurred in France in October 1131?

Answer 24

King Louis VI’s eldest son died in a freak accident

This event impacted the Capetian dynasty’s succession.

Question 25

What happened in April 1137 involving Eleanor of Aquitaine?

Answer 25

She was left under Louis VI's guardianship ## Footnote This was a strategic move that bolstered the Capetian dynasty.

Question 26

Who became king of France after Louis VI's death in August 1137?

Answer 26

Louis VII ## Footnote Louis VII was the son of Louis VI.

Question 27

What was the significance of Henry I's death on December 1, 1135?

Answer 27

It seemingly secured Matilda's claim to the throne ## Footnote Henry I had arranged for Matilda to inherit his lands.

Question 28

Who seized the throne after Henry I's death?

Answer 28

Stephen of Blois ## Footnote He was Henry I’s nephew and gained support from the church.

Question 29

What conflict began in 1138 involving Matilda's half-brother?

Answer 29

Civil war led by Robert of Gloucester ## Footnote This conflict was part of the larger struggle known as *The Anarchy*.

Question 30

Who succeeded Honorius II as pope in February 1130?

Answer 30

Pope Innocent II ## Footnote His election faced significant challenges and opposition.

Question 31

What happened to Pope Innocent II in 1135?

Answer 31

He excommunicated Antipope Anacletus II ## Footnote This action was part of the broader schism within the church.

Question 32

What was confirmed at the Second Lateran Council in April 1139?

Answer 32

Innocent II was confirmed as pope ## Footnote This council helped resolve the schism with Anacletus II.

Question 33

What significant battle occurred in 1134 involving Alfonso I of Aragon?

Answer 33

Battle of Fraga ## Footnote This battle was against the Almoravids, leading to Alfonso I's death.

Question 34

What title did Alfonso VII of Castile declare for himself in May 1137?

Answer 34

"Emperor of all Spain" ## Footnote This declaration marked a significant assertion of power in the Iberian Peninsula.

Question 35

What event led to the establishment of the Kingdom of Portugal in 1139?

Answer 35

Battle of Ourique ## Footnote This battle was part of the Christian resistance to Alfonso VII's rule.

Question 36

Who struggled to assert control in Germany and never became Holy Roman Emperor?

Answer 36

Conrad III ## Footnote Conrad III faced significant political challenges during his reign.

Question 37

What happened in 1142 regarding the Duchy of Saxony?

Answer 37

Conrad III was forced to return it to Henry the Lion ## Footnote This event reflected the power struggles within the Holy Roman Empire.

Question 38

Which family demanded the return of Bavaria by 1147?

Answer 38

The Welf family ## Footnote The Welfs were a powerful noble family in the Holy Roman Empire.

Question 39

What significant event did Conrad III join after hearing Bernard of Clairvaux preach?

Answer 39

The Second Crusade ## Footnote This crusade was a response to the fall of the County of Edessa.

Question 40

What alliance did Conrad III form in 1149?

Answer 40

An alliance with Byzantium against Roger II of Sicily ## Footnote However, he could not act on this alliance due to ongoing political struggles.

Question 41

What was the outcome of the Battle of Lincoln in February 1141?

Answer 41

King Stephen was captured ## Footnote This battle was a critical moment in the Anarchy civil war in England.

Question 42

Who attempted to claim the throne during the Anarchy but was unpopular in London?

Answer 42

Matilda ## Footnote Matilda was the daughter of King Henry I and faced significant challenges in her claim.

Question 43

What happened to Robert of Gloucester in July 1141?

Answer 43

He was captured ## Footnote This led to a prisoner exchange with Stephen, impacting Matilda's campaign.

Question 44

Who became the leader of Matilda's cause after Robert of Gloucester's death in 1147?

Answer 44

Henry (later Henry II) ## Footnote His leadership marked a turning point in the civil war.

Question 45

What significant loss did Louis VII of France experience in 1144?

Answer 45

He lost Normandy to Geoffrey of Anjou ## Footnote This loss weakened his position in France.

Question 46

Who was excommunicated by Pope Innocent II in 1142?

Answer 46

Raoul of Vermandois and Petronilla ## Footnote Their affair caused significant scandal and conflict.

Question 47

What tragic event occurred during the burning of Vitry in 1143?

Answer 47

1,500 people were killed ## Footnote This event escalated the conflicts during Louis VII's reign.

Question 48

What was the outcome of Louis VII's marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine?

Answer 48

Produced only a daughter, Marie (1145) ## Footnote Their marriage was politically significant but ultimately unfruitful in producing male heirs.

Question 49

What papal bull did Eugenius III issue in December 1145?

Answer 49

Quantum Praedecessores ## Footnote This bull called for the Second Crusade.

Question 50

Who succeeded Pope Innocent II and ruled for only five months?

Answer 50

Celestine II ## Footnote His short reign was marked by political instability.

Question 51

What significant military action did Roger II take in 1147?

Answer 51

He attacked Byzantium, capturing Corfu and sacking Athens ## Footnote This expanded Sicilian influence in the Mediterranean.

Question 52

What maritime status did Sicily achieve by the late 1140s?

Answer 52

Dominant maritime power in the Mediterranean ## Footnote Sicily's naval strength was a key factor in regional politics.

Question 53

Fill in the blank: Roger II made Mahdia a _______ in 1142.

Answer 53

protectorate ## Footnote This marked Sicily's expansion into North Africa.

Question 54

True or False: Conrad III was able to engage in Italian affairs during his reign.

Answer 54

False ## Footnote Political struggles hindered his involvement in Italy.