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Newcastle upon Tyne Trivia Quiz

Ten questions on the history of Newcastle Upon Tyne from the Normans to the 21st century.

A multiple-choice quiz by rockydog. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
rockydog

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
255,860

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
966

Last 3 plays: Guest 82 (1/10), Samoyed7 (6/10), briarwoodrose (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. When was the very first castle built on the Tyne, that gave the township of Newcastle its name? Hint

1220

1080

852

1455

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Question 2 of 10

2. Who founded the stone castle 'Newcastle Keep' in the twelfth century? Hint

Charles I

Richard II

Henry II

Henry I

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which long established independent school for boys was founded in the 16th century within the grounds of St Nicholas' Church? Hint

The Royal Grammar School

The King's School

Dame Allan's School for Boys

Rutherford Grammar School

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Question 4 of 10

4. Newcastle has two cathedrals. What are they called? Hint

St Mary's and St Nicholas'

St Dominic's and Blackfriars

St Andrew's and St Cuthbert's

All Saints' Church and St Bede's

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who is the famous monument at the top of Grey Street and Blackett Street named after? Hint

Darjeeling

Earl Grey

Lapsang Souchong

Assam

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which world famous bridge does the Tyne Bridge resemble? Hint

Golden Gate Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Bridge of Sighs

Brooklyn Bridge

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which famous film director is a 'Geordie'? Hint

Alfred Hitchcock

Ridley Scott

Steven Spielberg

George Lucas

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Question 8 of 10

8. Newcastle upon Tyne's famous football team is correctly known by which nickname? Hint

The Canaries

The Blackbirds

The Magpies

The Robins

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Question 9 of 10

9. What is the name of the controversial sculpture by Antony Gormley completed in 1998? Hint

The Millenium Bridge

Eros

Grey's Monument

Angel of the North

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Question 10 of 10

10. The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art which was opened in July 2002 was previously used for what purpose? Hint

Printing factory

Abbatoirs

Flour Mill

Naval Yard

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Oct 29 2024 : Guest 82: 1/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. When was the very first castle built on the Tyne, that gave the township of Newcastle its name?

Answer: 1080

1080 - The Normans first built a wooden fort, a 'motte and bailey' castle at the lowest place where the Tyne could easily be crossed to safeguard the bridge. A small town then grew up around the castle resulting in the name of Newcastle. (How original!)

2. Who founded the stone castle 'Newcastle Keep' in the twelfth century?

Answer: Henry II

It was built in 1168 by Henry II and is still standing. It is now a Grade I listed building and is managed by the Society of Antiquitaries of Newcastle upon Tyne on behalf of Newcastle City Council.

3. Which long established independent school for boys was founded in the 16th century within the grounds of St Nicholas' Church?

Answer: The Royal Grammar School

The RGS as the school is locally known was founded by Thomas Horsley, Mayor of Newcastle, and was originally called The Royal Free Grammar School. Since 2006 the school has been open to both boys and girls. Former pupils of the school are called 'Old Novocastrians'.

4. Newcastle has two cathedrals. What are they called?

Answer: St Mary's and St Nicholas'

St Nicholas is the seat of the Bishop of Newcastle and became a cathedral in 1882 when Queen Victoria created the Diocese of Newcastle. St Mary's is the Roman Catholic cathedral and was designed by Augustus Pugin in 1842.

5. Who is the famous monument at the top of Grey Street and Blackett Street named after?

Answer: Earl Grey

Grey's Monument was built in 1838 as a tribute to Charles Grey for the 1832 Great Reform Act, which broadened the franchise and ended the parliamentary representation of rotten boroughs. It stands 134ft tall with 164 steps inside leading to the top which are occasionally opened to the public.

The well known scented tea is indeed named after him.

6. Which world famous bridge does the Tyne Bridge resemble?

Answer: Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Tyne Bridge was designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson who also designed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. King George V officially opened the bridge on October 10, 1928, when it was ready for immediate use by trams, which continued to use the bridge until the 1950s. Work started on the Sydney Bridge before building began on the Tyne Bridge.

Construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge began before the Tyne Brudge, but took longer to complete due to its larger size. The Sydney Harbour Bridge finally opened in 1932, three years after the Tyne Bridge.

7. Which famous film director is a 'Geordie'?

Answer: Ridley Scott

Ridley Scott, director of classic films such as "Alien" and "Blade Runner", is from nearby South Shields and although purists from the region may insist he is a 'Sand-Dancer', to many people he is still classed as a Geordie.

8. Newcastle upon Tyne's famous football team is correctly known by which nickname?

Answer: The Magpies

The nickname and/or black and white strip is said to have been derived for several possible reasons. A pair of magpies were nesting at St James' Park in 1895 when the nickname possibly started and also the famous black and white kit which was introduced in 1904.
Newcastle United official website states also that it may have originated from priests garb or even from English Civil War uniforms.

9. What is the name of the controversial sculpture by Antony Gormley completed in 1998?

Answer: Angel of the North

The statue stands at 65 feet high (20 metres) with a wingspan of 175 feet (54 metres) wide. It has been designated one of the 'Icons of England' by the government's Culture Online project.

10. The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art which was opened in July 2002 was previously used for what purpose?

Answer: Flour Mill

The Baltic Flour Mill opened by Rank Hovis in 1950 and continued as a working flour mill until 1981.

Source: Author rockydog

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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