A Red and White Odyssey Trivia Quiz

Answer: Henry VII

Henry VII became the first Tudor monarch after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. This was the decisive battle of what became known as the 'Wars of the Roses', between the houses of Lancaster and York. Henry was descended from John of Gaunt, the first Duke of Lancaster, while Richard III was a Yorkist.

Henry joined the two dynasties by marrying Elizabeth of York, daughter of King Edward IV and niece of Richard III, and the Tudor Rose was symbolic of the new era.

Answer: Bangladesh

Canada's flag is a red maple leaf on a white background with bands of red on each side, while Japan has a a red circle in the centre of a white background. Switzerland's flag is square, with a white cross on a red field.

The flag of Bangladesh has a green field, with a red circle which is not placed quite centrally but is slightly nearer the hoist side.

Answer: Barber

The symbol dates back to mediaeval times and the colours are said to represent blood and bandages. At the time, barbers were often the nearest to a doctor that was available, and they carried out various procedures including removing rotten teeth and other types of surgery. In the USA, the pole includes a blue stripe as well, but the UK retains the original red and white.

Pawnbrokers are depicted by three brass balls, while tailors can have signs showing scissors and cobblers' signs show shoes, although these last two are less traditional.

Answer: Fly agaric

The fly agaric is instantly recognisable with its white stem and red cap covered with white spots. It has appeared in novels such as Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland' and in video games, including 'Super Mario', as well as in illustrations for various fairy tales.

The puffball belongs to the Basidiomycota phylum, and is often white. They are the ones that release their spores when you kick them. Death cap is Amanita phalloides which is toxic. Since it looks very like the edible mushroom, the death cap has caused death in humans due to kidney and/or liver damage. Destroying angel is another member of the Amanita genus, known as Amanita virosa in the UK and Amanita bisporigera in North America. This is similar in appearance to the button mushroom which can lead to dire consequences.

Answer: Liverpool

The song is sung to the tune of The Beatles' 'Yellow Submarine'. The Liverpool Kop is one of the most famous of the various Kops in football stadiums in the UK. The name comes from the Second Boer War and relates to the Battle of Spion Kop. The banking of the terraces is said to resemble the hill at the aforesaid battle. Of the options listed, Chelsea and Arsenal are both located in London. Manchester United is in the northwest, but has never had a stand named the Kop.

Answer: Candy cane

The candy cane is shaped like a walking stick (cane) or shepherd's crook, which is said to represent the visit of the shepherds to the baby Jesus while he was in the stable. This gave a link to Christmas and candy canes are often used to decorate trees in the festive season. They are often peppermint-flavoured and the traditional colouring is red and white stripes, although various other combinations are often available.

Humbugs normally have black and white stripes, sherbet lemons are yellow, with sherbet inside, and butterscotch is pale brown.

Answer: Hawaii

The scientific name of the fish is Sargocentron xantherythrum, and it is also known as the Hawaiian squirrelfish. It has a red body with white stripes, and is nocturnal. The fish like to hide away in caves and among rocks, although it can be kept in a home aquarium. The Hawaiian name is A-la-'i-hi, but using that in the question would have been a bit of a giveaway.

Answer: Dwarf

Both 'Snow-White and Rose-Red' and the story about 'Snow White' with which we are more familiar were included in the collection of traditional tales put together by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. The original German names were different, although similar, and have been translated to English as the same. Snow-White and Rose-Red are sisters, who befriend a bear.

They also help a dwarf, who is ungrateful and ends up being killed by the bear. The dwarf's death breaks a spell, allowing the bear to turn back to the prince he is. Fortunately, he has a brother, so both girls end up with royal husbands.

Answer: Reese Witherspoon

The first film came out in 2001, and told the story of Elle Woods as she studied law, and then graduated as an attorney. Her aim was to win back the boyfriend who had dismissed her as being too frivolous for him, but her success meant that he was no longer good enough for her.

The follow up was based in Washington, with hints that Elle would move into politics. Reese Witherspoon has appeared in numerous films since her first, in 1991, including 'Cruel Intentions' (1999), 'Sweet Home Alabama' (2002) and 'Walk the Line' (2005).

Answer: Arthurian legend

Dinas Emrys is a real place in Gwynedd, Wales. The Historia Brittonum (History of the Britons), dating from the ninth century, includes a tale about Vortigern (an early leader) and his attempts to build a fortress on Dinas Emrys. He is told that the repeated failure and collapse of the fortress is due to the two dragons which live under the hill. The youth who explains the problem is identified as Merlin by Geoffrey of Monmouth, and the hill's name is linked to Merlin's Welsh name of Emrys. Mary Stewart also used the story in her excellent novels about Merlin, beginning with 'The Crystal Cave'.

Loch Ness, with or without a monster, is in Scotland and Robin Hood's exploits are linked to Nottinghamshire in the middle of England. Beowulf, although an English poem, is actually set in Scandinavia.