A Prisoner of Birth Trivia Quiz

Answer: On charges of murdering his best friend

The novel starts with Danny Cartwright proposing to Beth Wilson. Danny, Beth and her brother Bernie go a bar (Dunlop Arms) to celebrate. A group of four men insult Beth and a fight starts. As a result of the fight, Bernie is killed and Danny is accused of the murder.

Answer: Spencer Craig

During the fight outside the Dunlop Arms, Spencer Craig kills Bernie with a knife which he had picked up from the bar. But Craig, who is a lawyer, frames Danny, and with the help of his friends Lawrence Davenport, Gerald Payne and Toby Mortimer ensures that Danny ends up behind bars.

Answer: He is sentenced to 22 years in prison

Spencer Craig and his friends commit perjury and help the prosecution to build an air tight case against Danny. After much deliberation, the jurors vote ten to two to convict Danny and Judge Sackville sentences him to twenty two years in prison.

Answer: Belmarsh

Danny is sentenced to 22 years in prison and is sent to Belmarsh high security prison in south-east London. Jeffrey Archer had himself spent time in Belmarsh prison during his years in prison (as documented in his book 'A Prison Diary Part I : Belmarsh - Hell'). Archer uses his personal knowledge to give a detailed description of prison life in his inimitable style.

Answer: As a result of a court martial

Danny's companions in the prison cell at Belmarsh were Nick and Big Al. Nick tells Danny that was an officer commanding a regiment in Kosovo serving for the NATO forces. Due to an error in judgment, two people die. Nick tells Danny that he was sentenced to eight years for this.

Answer: He leaves by impersonating Nick

Spencer Craig hires a goon in prison named Kevin Leach to keep an eye on Danny. Nick and Danny resembled each other and Leach kills Nick by mistake, thinking that he is Danny. Big Al convinces Danny not to say anything and also switches the files of Danny and Nick. As Nick was supposed to be set free from prison, Danny uses this chance to leave prison in the guise of Nick.

Answer: False

Spencer Craig was expecting to be called by the Lord Chancellor to receive his appointment as a QC. But the Lord Chancellor informs him that they have received an application for a royal pardon for Danny Cartwright. And as a result, the reviewing judges had decided to call Craig, Payne and Davenport again to question them. Craig is shocked to learn that a key witness against him is Sir Nicholas Moncrieff.

Answer: Craig finds out the truth and informs the police

Danny leaves prison as Nick and takes revenge on Craig, Payne and Davenport. Craig suspects and finds out that Nick (Danny) is staying with Beth and also has a photo taken of Nick's (Danny's) leg where he has a scar (from Danny's knife fight with Craig). Craig informs the police, who arrest Danny again and send him back to jail.

Answer: He traps him during cross examination leading to Danny's acquittal

Craig is called as a witness in the second trial of Danny Cartwright. During the trial, Sir Matthew Redmayne manages to trap Craig in cross examination. He uncovers the fact that Craig knew about Danny's scar due to a knife wound, because it was Craig himself who had stabbed him. The court decides to abandon the trial and opines that there has been a miscarriage of justice.

Answer: True

'A Prisoner of Birth' ends with Danny's acquittal and his marriage to Beth. Craig, Payne and Davenport are tried for Bernie's murder, but Sir Matthew warns that they may be let off as there was no evidence. The novel's climax reveals a twist in the tale with Lawrence Davenport under the influence of his sister Sarah, pleading guilty for perjury in court.