A Rumpole Quiz

Answer: His wife, Hilda, is an accomplished professional cook

The son, Nick, marries Erica, an American, and moves to Miami. In "Rumpole's Return" (1980) we find them living there with Hilda and Horace, who has retired (not for long, though). His wife never takes a job. His father was a vicar, disillusioned with his religion and with life. His mother remains unknown to us.

Answer: The Outer Temple is fictional, i.e. it does not exist

There are four Inns of Court in London, and all barristers in England and Wales belong to one of them. They are: Gray's Inn, Lincoln's Inn, Inner Temple and Middle Temple. There never was an Outer Temple, although there have been other inns besides the four that still exist.

Answer: Bloodstains

Bloodstains play an important role in several cases. Perhaps the best example is the murder trial in "Rumpole's Return" (1980). Rumpole appreciates fine wines, but does not know much about them (and cannot afford them). He also knows a great deal about typewriters, which was very significant in a case often alluded to, but never reported; the Great Brighton Benefit Club Forgery. Computers and motorcycles? That's not Rumpole.

Answer: Rumpole himself

Wystan retires and is replaced by Featherstone in the first Rumpole story, "Rumpole and the Younger Generation" (1968). Ballard takes over in "Rumpole and the Old Boy Net" (1983). Although Hilda is very keen on him becoming Head of Chambers, Rumpole himself never manages to muster more than a lukewarm enthusiasm. In fact, he is glad not to have the job.

Answer: The Timsons and the Molloys

Both families are full of criminals, but the Molloys tend to be more violent and vicious, and on several occasions they try to frame some Timson or other. "Rumpole and the Female of the Species" (1983) is a splendid example.

Answer: Phyllida Trant

Three of these are at some time pupils of Rumpole's, but Phyllida is the first. Rumpole often calls her "Portia", in reference to Antonio's daughter in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice". Liz Probert joins Rumpole's Chambers after her pupillage, while young Khan joins Treasury Counsel. Fiona Allways was a pupil of Phyllida's.

The barrister who takes a pupil is called a pupil master or mistress.

Answer: Tristan and Isolde

Claude is an opera enthusiast, and especially keen on Wagner. Tristan and Isolde disapprove of Rumpole, his diet, his cigars, and most things about him ("Rumpole and the Old, Old Story", 1987).

Answer: He never does Legal Aid cases

In England, barristers in private practice can be hired to prosecute, even after the Crown Prosecution Service was established. Rumpole only breaks his "never prosecute" principle once, but his passion for justice throws a spanner in the works ("Rumpole for the Prosecution", 1990).

A very rare example of a guilty plea - of sorts - comes in "Rumpole's Last Case" (1983). He also frequently compares himself to an old taxi, taking on any passenger who approaches the taxi rank. And his practice is almost all Legal Aid.

Answer: His Honour Judge Roger Bullingham

Although Rumpole is less than fond of the aptly named Graves and the annoying Northerner Oliphant, his worst enemy is definitely Bullingham, the Mad Bull. Guthrie Featherstone was Rumpole's Head of Chambers before he became a judge, and although Rumpole thinks he is spineless and indecisive, he still has a fondness for the often blundering, yet well-meaning Guthrie.

Answer: Rumpole

Hilda is prim and proper, and not often affectionate in her manner. Thus, she would never dream of using a derisive nickname like "Fatty", however fitting, or a familiar one like "Darling". Also, she is far from silly, so "Horry" is out.