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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Richard has no heir, which raises his suspicions toward Katherine. Why?

2. What does Father Oswald refuse to grant Katherine after she confesses?

3. In a conversation with Brother William, what does Katherine discover about the preacher John Ball?

4. What does Cob do to reawaken the unconscious Katherine?

5. Why does John turn down the idea that he should stay in Scotland because the people here love him and will likely give him an army?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is Katherine now?

2. John Ball is once again, now that he has been released from prison, preaching to the angry masses. What is he saying this time?

3. The Duke has grown quite mad with his obsession over his heritage. While Katherine talks to him, she learns that someone is at the root of John's fears. Who is this person?

4. King Richard turned out to be quite deceptive. Do you think he got what he deserved in the end?

5. Over time Geoffrey and Philippa have come to live apart. When we see Philippa at this point in the story, how is she?

6. Describe Katherine's appearance after she decides she is responsible for the friar's death and her daughter's disappearance.

7. Why is the preacher John Ball imprisoned?

8. Katherine and John enjoy only three married years together. She lives another four years, during which Richard confiscates all Lancastrian estates and watches her son Henry return to England and fight for his rights. Did you ever think she should have just remained at Kettlethorpe and not married the duke?

9. Who is Lady Julian and what does she help Katherine do?

10. At the raucous wedding of Henry of Bolingbroke to Anne of Bohemia, Robin, playing a comic character called the Lord of Misrule shouts: "Now shall each man kiss the lady of his heart!" He kisses Katherine. How does the duke respond to this incident?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Katherine first arrives at the castle with Blanche's funereal procession, the king is described as sad. not just because of the Duchess's death, but also because he recently became a widower himself. Yet, a short while later, the king's mistress, Alice Perrers, turns the royal dinner, held ostensibly to honor the life of Blanche, into a circus. First, describe the dinner setting. Although Alice doesn't have an official title or rank in the royal court, does this event demonstrate power she has over the king, and therefore also over the court?

Essay Topic 2

There are numerous ironic moments and events in this story, but by far, one of the most ironic is the friendship that develops between Katherine and Blanche, the Duchess of Lancaster. Explain how this friendship starts, how the two women get along, and why in the end it is deeply ironic.

Essay Topic 3

Fate is a theme that threads throughout the novel. Despite Katherine's dislike for Hugh, she resigns herself to marrying him. How does this example illustrate the concept of accepting one's fate?

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