The Historic County of Wiltshire Quiz

Answer: Moonrakers

The legend originates from when a Government Revenue Officer came across smugglers who were trying to retrieve contraband barrels of brandy from where they had hidden them in a village pond. They were using long rakes.

When asked by the Revenue Man what they were doing, they replied they were trying to rake a large cheese from the pond. The Revenue Man rode off laughing, seeing it was simply a reflection of the moon, and assumed they were simply ignorant country yokels! But we all know who were the most imaginative on this occasion.

Answer: Stonehenge

It is believed that Stonehenge was constructed between the years 2500-1500 B.C., and that it embraces significant religious and astronomical roots.

It remains a mystery how the stones weighing up to four tons each were transported to the site, as it is popularly believed that the "bluestone" came from Pembrokeshire in South Wales, over 150 miles distant!

There are perhaps as many as twenty different rock types within the structure.

Answer: Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury's Gothic Cathedral rises to a lofty 404 feet or 123 metres. Also known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it was built during the period 1220-1258, with the exception of the spire which was added about 50 years later.

Answer: Magna Carta

Magna Carta was probably the most important document of Medieval England, being an agreement signed in 1215 by barons of Medieval England and King John at Runnymede near Windsor Castle.

It consisted of a number of written pledges from the king that he would govern England and its people according to the customs of feudal law.

Magna Carta was an endeavour by the barons to prevent King John and subsequent kings from abusing their power to the detriment of their subjects in England.

Answer: Trowbridge

Trowbridge, situated in West Wiltshire, is only the third largest town in the county after Swindon and Salisbury, but is the Administrative Centre.

Incidentally, Trowbridge is also the birthplace of Sir Isaac Pitman (1813-97), the inventor of a system of shorthand writing.

Answer: Wilton

The small town of Wilton lies three miles west of the City of Salisbury, and was the administrative centre of the county until the 11th century. Wilton was also responsible for the name given to the County of Wiltshire.

Carpets were originally manufactured at Wilton from the beginning of the eighteenth century, although the earliest foundations of the factory were established as far back as 1655.

Answer: A White Horse

There are as many as 13 known white horse carvings in Wiltshire, although several of them have fallen into disrepair, covered by grass etc., so they are no longer clearly visible.

The Westbury White Horse is the oldest such carving in the county, dating as far back as the early part of the eighteenth century.

However, owing to the high cost of maintenance, the carving was covered with concrete in the 1950s and then painted white!

Answer: Sting

Sting, aka Gordon Sumner, was the main songwriter and lead singer of the rock group The Police prior to him following a solo career. The Lake Estate manor house is just one of the properties he owns worldwide.

Answer: Norfolk

The counties of Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset and West Berkshire all border Wiltshire.

Norfolk is on the East Coast of England.

Answer: Wootton Bassett

This custom, as it became, was never organised but was initially observed as a mark of respect by a few local members of the British Legion.

Wootton Bassett has been described as "the most patriotic town in Britain", but local residents insist they were only doing what any community would have done if theirs was the first town the military cortege passed through.