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London Trivia Quiz

Edward Rutherfurd's book "London" has been a bestseller for years. It shows the history of London unfolding through the eyes of ancient locals and in the following chapters, through the eyes of their descendants.

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

Author
Doug_from_NZ

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
238,629

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
432

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which famous historical figure invades Britain in the first chapter? Hint

Julius Caesar

William The Conqueror

Nero

Napolean Bonaparte

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which family has unusual hands every second generation or so? Hint

Penny

Silversleeves

Ducket

Bull

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Doggets and the Duckets are related.

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which family is notoriously unpopular, dishonest, snooty, and all these at once, in most chapters? Hint

Bull

Silversleeves

Meredith

Penny

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which of the following historical events is not in this book? Hint

The Blitz

The Great Plague

They all are

The Great Fire of London

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which English Monarch does not appear in this book? Hint

King Harold

Henry VIII

Richard II

Queen Elizabeth II

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Question 7 of 10

7. London was the capital before the Norman conquest in Chapter 4.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. No two chapters have the same name in this novel.

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. In which era(s) does/do London start including all surrounding lands - not just the original walled city? Hint

Stuart and Georgian

Georgian

Stuart

Victorian

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Question 10 of 10

10. What item is lost in Chapter 2, frantically searched for in Chapter 3 (by descendants) and finally found in the second-to-last chapter "The Blitz"? Hint

Jewellery

Documents

Gold

A Diamond

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which famous historical figure invades Britain in the first chapter?

Answer: Julius Caesar

At the time his name would actually be pronounced Hulius (or "Yulius") Kaiser. "Caesar" had always been pronounced like the word for a German emperor, but over time people pronounced it with an "S" instead. In the text he is referred to as "a bald man with an intelligent face".

2. Which family has unusual hands every second generation or so?

Answer: Ducket

When William the Conqueror insists all his new English subjects have a surname (for his famous Domesday Book) the latest descendant of Segovax from 45 BC chooses "Ducket" because of the webbing in his hands.

3. The Doggets and the Duckets are related.

Answer: True

Two twins (when they became prostitutes) change their surname from "Ducket" to "Dogget". They work for a brothel called "The Dogs Head" so it seems logical (and their family gives assent because they don't wish to be associated with them anymore!).

4. Which family is notoriously unpopular, dishonest, snooty, and all these at once, in most chapters?

Answer: Silversleeves

Frequently described as long-nosed, tall, with black hair, it's hard not to picture a Silversleeves looking like the character Snape from the Harry Potter movies!

5. Which of the following historical events is not in this book?

Answer: They all are

Edward Rutherfurd tried to incorporate as much English history as possible. The only event he seems to skip was the War of the Roses. Perhaps because they were not fought in or around London?

6. Which English Monarch does not appear in this book?

Answer: Queen Elizabeth II

The final chapter is set in 1997 (which was the present day when this novel was published) and is called "The River". But it does not refer to The Thames, it refers to the river of different ethnic bloodlines flowing through most Londoners. The Queen herself is never seen or mentioned.

7. London was the capital before the Norman conquest in Chapter 4.

Answer: False

Winchester was the original capital of England. London was just a (growing) river port which was designated the new capital after William the Conqueror took over.

8. No two chapters have the same name in this novel.

Answer: False

Both the first and the last chapter are called "The River". Interestingly enough, I was reading this book for the first time in 2002 and had an Enya CD playing in the background. As a result, its 9th track has always reminded me of The Thames in ancient London days. Ironically, track number 9 is called "River"!

9. In which era(s) does/do London start including all surrounding lands - not just the original walled city?

Answer: Stuart and Georgian

There are some maps at the start of the book, one showing Roman/Saxon London, the next showing Medieval/Tudor times, the next showing Georgian/Victorian London, and the last showing present-day London (with its numerous surrounding suburbs). Some say it might have been better to put a new map at the start of each chapter. I agree!

10. What item is lost in Chapter 2, frantically searched for in Chapter 3 (by descendants) and finally found in the second-to-last chapter "The Blitz"?

Answer: Gold

In London (or Londinium) in 251 A.D. a young man hides some Roman Gold in a drainage ditch when he is pursued by the authorities. 1700 years later it is finally found by his family.

Source: Author Doug_from_NZ

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