The Counties of Old England Quiz | Thematic Fun

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "Oh, 'tis my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year." Which English miscreant might sing these words?

Answer: The Lincolnshire Poacher

This folk song dates back at least to the eighteenth century. It tells the story of a poacher snaring a hare illegally to sell in a local town, outwitting the lord's gamekeeper. The tune was adopted as the quick march of several regiments of the British army, including the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment.

2. In fiction, by what human name is the alien baby Kal-el known?

Answer: Clark Kent

Kal-el, sent to earth by his parents to avoid the destruction of the planet Krypton, was adopted by human parents and given the name Clark Kent. He grew up, of course, to be the alter ego of Superman.

3. In 1948, which World War II pilot, who earned many decorations including the VC, founded a charity supporting people with disabilities through running residential homes, development projects around the world and political campaigns on disability issues?

Answer: Leonard Cheshire

During World War II, Leonard Cheshire became the youngest Group Captain in the RAF as well as receiving many gallantry awards. Arguably, the charitable work he and his wife became involved in after the war was even more impressive, particularly their efforts to improve opportunities for people with disabilities and, in Africa and Asia, to help people with leprosy and tuberculosis.

His work was recognised in 1991 when he was created a life peer as Baron Cheshire of Woodhall.

4. Which breed of dog, originating in the mid-nineteenth century, was created by cross-breeding with dogs imported from Scotland and has a tan head and a steel-grey body?

Answer: Yorkshire Terrier

All of these are genuine dog breeds, but the Yorkshire Terrier is the one which owes its origins to miners in Yorkshire cross-breeding Black and Tan Terriers with two Scottish breeds, Paisley and Clydesdale Terriers.

5. According to the song in "Oklahoma!", in what kind of horse drawn vehicle does Curly McLain promise to take Laurey Williams out?

Answer: Surrey with the Fringe on Top

The song, written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, was one of the hit songs of the 1943 musical and the 1955 film. A surrey is a four wheeled carriage with two pairs of seats, enabling four people to ride in it in the shade of the material cover with fringed edges.

6. The former husband of Victoria Wood called himself "The Great Soprendo" for his magician act on stage. What is his real name?

Answer: Geoffrey Durham

Originally a stage actor, he became a magician, both under his own name and as "The Great Soprendo". Geoffrey has also appeared in television and radio shows and in 1988 advised the producers of "Doctor Who" for scenes in which the Doctor had to perform magic tricks. He was married to Victoria Wood for twenty-five years before they divorced.

7. Which fermented liquid condiment was developed in the 1830s and may owe its origins to the ancient Roman use of a fermented fish sauce called garum?

Answer: Worcestershire Sauce

The product was created by two pharmacists, John Lea and William Perrins in the city of Worcester. It first went on sale in 1838 and is still a popular condiment produced by the firm that bears the name of its founders, though it has become a subsidiary of Kraft-Heinz. Worcestershire sauce is used to flavour many dishes, including cooked meats, Welsh rarebit and devilled eggs as well as being added to tomato juice and the cocktail Bloody Mary.

8. Which singer and actor was the first to play Che Guevara in "Evita" and later played Fletcher Christian in the musical "Mutiny!" which he co-wrote about the mutiny on the Bounty?

Answer: David Essex

Born David Albert Cook, David Essex took his stage name from the county in which he was born. He rose to fame in the early 1970s and had two number one hits in Britain, "Gonna Make You a Star" and "Hold Me Close", though his only US hit was "Rock On" in 1974.

His singing success was mirrored by appearances on the stage, on television and in film, with his most famous role being Che Guevara in "Evita". He has also been recognised for his charitable work and has been an ambassador for the organisation Voluntary Service Overseas.

9. Who was the commander of the British government army at the Battle of Culloden in 1746?

Answer: Duke of Cumberland

The youngest son of King George II, Cumberland won his only military victory at Culloden, and the actions of his army after the battle earned him the nickname "Butcher" among his opponents. However, the fact that his victory saved his father's throne from the Jacobite threat made him very popular in England, and George Frideric Handel wrote the oratorio "Judas Maccabeaus" in his honour.

It contained the anthem "See the conquering hero comes".

10. Which female actor won three Emmy awards for her performances as Fleur in "The Forsyte Saga", the Duchess of Marlborough in "The First Churchills" and Becky Sharp in "Vanity Fair", all between 1969 and 1973?

Answer: Susan Hampshire

In addition to a stellar career on stage, on television and in film, Susan Hampshire has taken a keen interest in people with dyslexia, having been diagnosed dyslexic at the age of thirty. For three years she was president of the Dyslexia Institute. She is also the author of several books for children.

Source: Author Quizaddict1

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

The Counties of Old England Trivia Quiz

Over the years there have been changes to the names of English counties. In this quiz each answer contains the name of a county as it was known before local government reforms in 1965 and 1974.

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