Raised in the 1660s Trivia Quiz

Answer: Royal Society

Scientists and philosophers formed The Royal Society after decades of informal meetings. The Society first began at Gresham College, but was forced to move to Arundel House following the Great Fire in 1666. Today the society is located in Carlton House Terrace in London.
King Charles approved and encouraged the venture, and the society was first called "The Royal Society" in 1661. The following year they were granted charter to publish, and the first books were John Evelyn's "Sylva" and Robert Hooke's "Micrographia".
The Society today awards for excellence in science.

Answer: Charles II

Following the execution of Charles I for treason, the English parliament did not proclaim Charles II as their King. Instead, Oliver Cromwell ran the country and the commonwealth during the time known as the "English Interregnum". After Cromwell's death in 1658, Charles was invited to return from his exile in Europe and assume the throne.

This then began the period known as "The Restoration" following twenty years of Civil War and anarchy. The population celebrated Charles's coronation eagerly, jubilant that the Monarchy had been re-established, and cheered during his procession from the Tower of London to Whitehall the day before. Charles was the last monarch to make this traditional procession.

Answer: Catherine of Braganza

Charles II and Catherine of Braganza were married by proxy in April in Lisbon. She then travelled to London where she and Charles had a private Roman Catholic ceremony followed by the public Anglican service. Catherine's dowry included the countries of Tanzania and Bombay (now Mumbai), and their union allowed the formation the Indian Empire of England and the establishment of Portugal's independence.

Answer: Theatre Royal

The "Theatre Royal", was also known by the rather unfortunate name of "The King's Playhouse". Whilst the theatre was in Drury Lane, its entrance was in Bridges Street, and often the theatre was termed "The Royal in Bridges Street". The playhouse was also one of the few establishments at the time to be given rights to present spoken plays rather than limiting it to opera and dance. As it was neither safe nor feasible to light the stage by candlelight, performances were held in the afternoon to take advantage of sunlight.

The pit, (the main audience floor), was roofless to facilitate the admittance of light, but unfortunately it also allowed the intrusion of rain in inclement weather.

Answer: Gravity

Isaac Newton saw an apple fall from a tree (it didn't really hit him on the head) and wondered what caused its velocity to increase as it fell. He then made a scientific leap and thought that might not gravity extend to the moon? He then pondered whether the gravitational force exerted caused the moon to orbit the Earth. Although he first thought of the idea of gravity in 1664, it took another two decades before he produced the formula to explain it.

In 1687 he published "Philosophić Naturalis Principia Mathematica". (Latin for "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy"), which states his theory.

Answer: The Bubonic Plague

The Bubonic Plague (Black Plague or Black Death) is thought to have spread from Europe to England by fleas on rodents. The outbreak reached its peak during the summer of 1666 in the midst of a heat wave. Many affluent Londoners fled to their country estates to escape the danger, however many city authorities elected to stay behind. The poor had no choice and their numbers were decimated. Official records estimated 100,000 people perished, however the number of casualties overwhelmed officials and records were poorly maintained. It is highly probable this figure is grossly underestimated.
In an effort to protect them from the disease, the men chewed tobacco, and burned pepper, hops or frankincense. Fires in public places were kept burning in futile attempts to cleanse the air. The women carried a posy of flowers (particularly lavender and herbs) under their noses, although this may have been in an effort to rid the stench from the massive burial pits.
The plague ended after the great fire and it is thought this is because the vermin were killed.

Answer: Bakery

The great fire began in Thomas Farriner's (or Farynor's) bakery after he closed shop. Due to the overcrowding and almost non-existent fire fighting facilities at the time, the fire spread rapidly and continued unabated for three days. Many of the affluent of London removed themselves and their valuables out of the area, afraid they would lose all and be flung in the poorhouse.
Almost 90% of houses were destroyed. However, the affluent areas of Westminster and the Palace of Whitehall were spared. St Paul's Cathedral which was being restored was also severely damaged. In the end, houses were blown up with gunpowder to create a sizeable firebreak, and a fortunate change in the wind blew the fire back onto itself.
Mr Samuel Pepys sent his money to an acquaintance's house, where he also left his wife and maid to guard it. According to his diaries, he did indeed bury office papers, his wine and his Parmesan cheese in a hole in the garden!

http://www.pepys.info/index.html

Answer: Paradise Lost

"Paradise Lost" is an epic, blank-versed poem about the fall of man by John Milton. The first book is similar to the "Book of Genesis" in the Bible, but goes on to include Paganism, classical Greek and Christianity. Originally it was published in ten books, but after 1674 it was redivided into twelve books.

Answer: St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral was severely damaged in the Great Fire, and although repairs were made, the building was structurally unsound.
Plans for its replacement had been submitted and rejected many times, but eventually a plan was approved. The cathedral was finally rebuilt and opened in 1710.
For the demolition of the building, gunpowder was tried, but the populace complained about the noise, so a battering ram was used instead.

Answer: Christopher Wren

Christopher Wren was conferred a knighthood in 1673, and was one of the highest acclaimed English architects in history. He was responsible for the reconstruction of not only St Paul's cathedral, but another 54 churches in the years following the fire of 1666.
Sir Christopher was also an astronomer, geometer and mathematician-physicist. Not only was he one of the founders of the Royal Society (in question 1), but Sir Isaac Newton also lauded his scientific work.
A fair amount of creative licence was taken in the creation of Faith in this quiz. Sir Christopher did marry Faith Coghill in 1669, but she was the 33 year-old daughter of his childhood neighbours, not the young girl I made her out to be.