A Wales of a Tale Trivia Quiz

Answer: Inigo Jones

Born in London (1573) to Welsh parents, Inigo Jones was an accomplished architect of the 17th century. He was also a noted theatrical designer.

In the late 16th century, he studied in Italy, visiting the country at least twice. He was influenced in particular by Andrea Palladio and brought Italian Renaissance design - mainly of a strictly neoclassical, Palladian variety - to England.

In addition to Banqueting House and Queen's House, Jones designed and/or executed several noted projects, including Covent Garden square.

Answer: Laura Ashley

Born at her grandmother's house in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, Laura Mountney resided in Wales until 1932, spent the next six years in Croydon, and returned to Wales in 1938. After leaving school at the age of 16, she served in the Women's Royal Naval Service.

It was during this time that she met her future husband, Bernard Ashley. After visiting an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Laura's interest in Victorian prints was piqued. Unable to find the colors and types of prints she was interested in, she saw an opportunity, and took it. Designing her own fabric, which her husband printed on a machine in their attic, the couple started out creating napkins, tea towels, table mats and headscarves. Success came quickly, and their 'cottage industry' grew into a international enterprise.

Answer: Harry Secombe

A talented entertainer, Harry Secombe is probably best remembered for his portrayal of Neddie Seagoon - the main character on the radio program 'The Goon Show'. His first foray into show business was with the Windmill Theatre, but his big break came when he was picked for the radio series 'Welsh Rarebit'. His collaboration with Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Michael Bentine on a script for 'Crazy People', eventually became the hugely successful 'The Goon Show' which ran from 1951-1960.
Besides his radio performances, Secombe - a bel canto tenor - appeared in numerous musicals, recorded several successful albums, starred in both television and movies, and wrote several popular books.
He was knighted in 1981, and chose 'GO ON' for the motto of his coat of arms.

Answer: T.E. Lawrence

Thomas Edward Lawrence, nicknamed Lawrence of Arabia, was a British Army officer, probably best known for his involvement in the Arab Revolt (1916 - 1918). In addition to his military service, he traveled extensively through the Middle East, wrote prolifically and vividly about his adventures, and was given the Distinguished Service Order, the French Légion d'Honneur, and was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath.

He did, however, turn down the honor of becoming a Knight Commander of the British Empire.

Answer: Richard Burton

Perhaps most commonly associated with 1963's 'Cleopatra' and his stormy romance with Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton garnered both critical and popular acclaim for his talent as an actor. He was nominated six times for the Academy Award for Best Actor - and once for Best Supporting Actor - without winning, but he did win BAFTA, Tony, Grammy and Golden Globe awards.
In addition to 1953's 'Desert Rats' and 'The Robe', and 1964's 'The Night of the Iguana', he also gave memorable performances in 1966's 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf' and 1967's 'The Taming of the Shrew'.
Married five times (his second marriage was to Elizabeth Taylor), his womanizing was legendary, as was his penchant for living large.

Answer: Shirley Bassey

In 1999, Shirley Bassey was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. She was also given France's award of Legion d'Honneur.
Perhaps best known - at least in the United States - for her James Bond movie themes (1964's 'Goldfinger', 1971's 'Diamonds are Forever' and 1979's 'Moonraker'), her success as a recording artist is truly international.

Answer: Dylan Thomas

Born in 1914 in Swansea, Dylan Thomas wrote not only poetry, but also short stories and scripts. He was also famed for his performance of many of these - most notably his 'Under Milkwood' and 'Do not go gentle into that good night' - a villanelle written for his father.
Dylan was a teenager when some of his most memorable poems were published. And it was perhaps his early success - as some critics have proposed - that led to his excessive indulgence in drink and the early onset of the ill health that culminated in his death at the relatively young age of 39.
His works have lived on, and found repeated prominence in books, television and movies.

Answer: Tom Jones

Born as Thomas Woodward in Pontypridd, South Wales in 1940, Tom Jones began singing when he was quite young. Somewhat hampered at school due to his dyslexia, Tom found self-confidence and validation in his singing.
Following several years of relative anonymity, he hit it big with 1965's 'It's Not Unusual', and followed up that success with 'What's New, Pussycat?' and 'Thunderball'.
Las Vegas proved to be his niche, both in popularity and profit, although he has continued to perform elsewhere, and has become a pop culture icon.

Answer: Henry Morgan

One of the most ruthless privateers in history, Henry Morgan gained fame and fortune during a period when the line between patriot and pirate was fuzzy at best. He excelled at securing profit for himself and his crew, while simultaneously winning support for England.
His legend lives on - not only in literature, music and film - but also in numerous pop-culture tributes.

Answer: Roald Dahl

Born in 1916, during World War II Roald Dahl was a flying ace, and an intelligence agent. He first began writing in 1942, and submitted a piece to the "Saturday Evening Post" entitled 'Shot Down Over Libya'.
Dahl went on to win three Edgar awards, and his 'Tales of the Unexpected' became a television series of the same name.
Perhaps best known as the author of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', Dahl also penned 'Matilda', 'The BFG' and 'James and the Giant Peach'.