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Quiz about Animal Folklore and Myths of Britain

Animal Folklore and Myths of Britain Quiz

Many creatures feature prominently in the folklore of the British Isles, so here's a few questions about some of our rather strange beliefs over the years.

A multiple-choice quiz by rattleheaduk. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
rattleheaduk

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
243,906

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
2129

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of our feathered friends was traditionally considered to be 'King Of The Birds'? Hint

The Robin

The Wren

The Magpie

The Swan

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Question 2 of 10

2. Tradition accuses which bird of not wearing full mourning at the Crucifixion? Hint

The Swan

The Robin

The Magpie

The Raven

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Question 3 of 10

3. In the middle ages, on days when sunshine and rain coincided, what was said to be happening? Hint

Hares were giving birth to their young

Witches were training their familiars

Foxes were getting married

Cuckoos were stealing nests

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Question 4 of 10

4. It used to be believed that the bite of a pig would cause ____

Answer: (One Word, a disease, six letters)

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Question 5 of 10

5. Through the middle ages, farmers often killed hedgehogs because they believed that they did what? Hint

Listened to them talking and gave their secrets to witches

Entangled themselves in sheeps wool

Stole milk from cows

Spread TB to cattle

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Question 6 of 10

6. The Lickey Hills in the English Midlands were said to be the stomping ground of the Devil whilst hunting which animal? Hint

Wild Boar

Fallow Deer

Red Deer

Fox

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who was said to have brought the first swan to Britain? Hint

King John

King Alfred

Matthew

Richard The Lionheart

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which birds in the Tower Of London traditonally protect Britain against invasion? Hint

Ravens

Eagles

Crows

Falcons

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which ancient race of people believed that their souls travelled to the land of the dead on horseback? Hint

The Normans

The Celts

The Picts

The Saxons

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which bird is attributed with attempting to ease Christ's suffering on the cross? Hint

The Sparrow

The Robin

The Dove

The Kingfisher

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of our feathered friends was traditionally considered to be 'King Of The Birds'?

Answer: The Wren

Harming a wren was considered bad luck, excepting on December 26th when boys would kill the birds then carry the corpses from house to house to collect money.

2. Tradition accuses which bird of not wearing full mourning at the Crucifixion?

Answer: The Magpie

Often perceived as a bird of ill-omen, in Scotland it is said that the Magpie carries a drop of the devil's blood underneath its tongue. Many people (myself included!) still salute or tip an imaginary hat to magpies even to this day.

3. In the middle ages, on days when sunshine and rain coincided, what was said to be happening?

Answer: Foxes were getting married

Strange but true. Foxes were long associated with witchcraft and trickery and in Lincolnshire it was well known that their bite was always fatal.

4. It used to be believed that the bite of a pig would cause ____

Answer: Cancer

It was also said that a meal of pig's brains would make people speak as though they had taken a truth drug.

5. Through the middle ages, farmers often killed hedgehogs because they believed that they did what?

Answer: Stole milk from cows

Farmers referred to hedgehogs as 'prickly back otchuns' and despised the poor creatures. 'Otchuns' is a dialect name derived from the hedgehog as is the more commonly used word 'urchin'.

6. The Lickey Hills in the English Midlands were said to be the stomping ground of the Devil whilst hunting which animal?

Answer: Wild Boar

Legend tells how the Devil and his chief huntsman, Harry Ca-Nab took to the hills with a pack of seven unholy hounds to hunt the native boar of the area. The hounds were supposedly kennelled in nearby Halesowen and were known as the seven whistlers whilst in other localities, the whistlers were said to be six birds of fate searching for a seventh. If they ever found it, the world would end.

7. Who was said to have brought the first swan to Britain?

Answer: Richard The Lionheart

He is said to have brought them back with him after the third crusade, from Cyprus to be precise. Whether or not this is correct, swans have long since been seen as royal property.

8. Which birds in the Tower Of London traditonally protect Britain against invasion?

Answer: Ravens

Similarly to the Apes on the Rock Of Gibraltar, it is said that terrible misfortune will follow should the birds leave the Tower.

9. Which ancient race of people believed that their souls travelled to the land of the dead on horseback?

Answer: The Celts

Horse were seen by the Celts as a conduit between the two worlds - of the living and the dead. For this reason, horses were also seen as having the gift of clairvoyance and were vulnerable to enchantment and sorcery.

10. Which bird is attributed with attempting to ease Christ's suffering on the cross?

Answer: The Robin

Legend tells that the Robin was splashed with a drop of Christ's blood whilst trying to comfort him, hence the bird's red breast. Another story tells that the bird was singed whilst taking water to the unfortunate sinners in Hell.

Source: Author rattleheaduk

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