B is for Bronte Trivia Quiz

Answer: Brunty

Despite his strong Northern Irish accent, Patrick was trying to distance himself from his home country and appear more impressive. It may not seem much of a difference now but clearly he felt changing his name was one way to achieve this. Lord Nelson had recently been granted the title 'Duke of Bronte' by the King of Naples so it did provide an instant pedigree. Accounts differ on the spelling of his name and some list Prunty as the original.

At Cambridge, and throughout his life, this surname would have many spellings and a variety of accents and marks over the 'e' but the sisters adopted the classic Bronte spelling, with a diaeresis (..) above the e.

Answer: Branwell

Although his first name was Patrick he was always known as Branwell or 'Brany'. As the only boy in a clergyman's family a lot of pressure fell on Branwell to achieve great things. Unfortunately, despite some artistic ability, success eluded him. His drinking, drug addiction and debts horrified his sisters and father and no doubt contributed to his death in 1848 at the age of 30.

Answer: Bewick's History of British Birds

It is this book that comforts the young Jane in the first chapter of Jane Eyre. It is later snatched from and thrown at her by her spiteful cousin John Reed. There are a number of examples of the Brontes' faithful copies from this book at the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth.

Answer: Mr Brocklehurst

As in the book, the real life founder wrote a series of terrifying stories known as the Children's Friend. These describe unfortunate children being set on fire, having their limbs amputated and dying. The aim was to 'educate' children in the importance of living a pure life on earth.

Even more sadly, the eldest Bronte sisters, Maria and Elizabeth became dangerously ill at Cowan Bridge and succumbed to tuberculosis despite being sent home. They were only ten and eleven years old when they died and the early loss brought the four remaining siblings - Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne - even closer.

Answer: Bradford

An easy one if you know British cities - the other three options are real but in different counties: Bideford, Devon; Blandford, Dorset and Bedford, Bedfordshire.

Branwell apparently had real talent and had earlier gone to London armed with letters of introduction to the Royal Academy - no mean feat. It's unclear why but he couldn't bring himself to enter the building when he got to London and came home again, having squandered the money he'd been given and the hopes that went with him.

He seems to have been a competent enough portrait painter while in Bradford but a new invention - photography - was in its earliest form and he just couldn't compete.

Answer: Blackwood's Magazine

As in the real life magazine the children included stories, book reviews and even correspondence sections to which their imaginary characters contributed. It is difficult to envisage what amazing works these are until you view those that have been preserved in the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth.

They are only about 2 inches high by 1 inch wide and the writing inside is tiny but perfectly legible if you have good enough eyesight or a magnifying glass!

Answer: Byron

Although their father was a clergyman, the Brontes read widely even as children and this included the works of Byron. The racy poet was a particular inspiration in their childhood writings and creation of their fantasy kingdoms of Angria and Gondal. Their later creations of Heathcliff and Mr Rochester also owe more than a little to Byron's moody influence. One of the letters from Charlotte to her lifelong friend Ellen Nussey recommends Byron's works, although she did say she should probably skip Don Juan.

Answer: Brussels

Charlotte would also teach there for just over a year, becoming infatuated with Monsieur Heger, the director. Her experiences were probably very similar to those she would later describe in her novels The Professor and Villette.

The sisters got as far as printing a prospectus for their school for young ladies, which would have been based at the parsonage in Haworth, but didn't receive a single application.

Answer: Bell

Charlotte was Currer Bell, Emily took Ellis Bell and Anne became Acton Bell. The surname was inspired by the middle name of the curate who would later become Charlotte's husband: Arthur Bell Nicholls.

Answer: The Black Bull

The Black Bull still stands in Haworth today, at the top of the hill on the main street. The church is beside it and the parsonage only a short walk up the hill.