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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. Who remains constantly by Margaret's side after she learns her first-born son has died?

2. Where does Margaret await the formal invitation from Henry to come to his court?

3. Who is James?

4. What happens to Margaret's second child soon after being born?

5. How old is Mary when the novel opens?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Bell-the-Cat tell Angus on his deathbed?

2. How does James react to the death of Margaret's palfreys?

3. What reasons does Margaret convey in a letter as to why Henry should not attack Scotland shortly after James dies in battle?

4. Why does Albany agree to go to Scotland when the King of France requests it?

5. What does Lord Drummond request of Angus in regard to his love life?

6. What does Margaret's title of "Regent" mean?

7. What does James do after the birth of his first child, a son, by Margaret?

8. Why does the political establishment not think Margaret is able to rule until young James comes of age?

9. In "The Curse of Sauchieburn," why does Margaret try to intervene with James when several Scottish men are arrested in England?

10. How does Henry approach his future kingship when he is young?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the character of Margaret from the beginning of "The Thistle and the Rose" with the character of Margaret at the conclusion of "The Thistle and the Rose." How is she the same? How is she different? What were the major factors that changed her as a character, and what kept her the same?

Essay Topic 2

Choose the point when Margaret finally becomes her own person in the novel and discuss when this moment is, how the reader knows this transformation has taken place, and at least two literary devices Plaidy uses to convey to the reader that such a transformation has occurred.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast James and Henry. How are they similar and different as characters? How are they similar and different as kings?

(see the answer keys)

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