Tales of the Abbey 2 Trivia Quiz

Answer: John Dryden

The first official Poet Laureate of England in 1668, the terms of Dryden's post included composing works that commemorated public events. While most hold the office for life, Dryden was dismissed by William and Mary because he would not take a loyalty oath to them. Samuel Johnson called Dryden "The Father of English Criticism", because not only did he compose numerous works, he also critiqued other writers in what was considered a fair way. Sir Walter Scott nicknamed Dryden "Glorious John" in his "Waverley Novels".

Many call the Restoration period in England the Age of Dryden because of his powerful influence in literary circles. Dryden died in 1700, and was first buried in St. Anne's Cemetery, Soho; in 1710 his remains were moved to Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey.

Answer: George II

George II, the only legitimate son of George I, was born in Hanover, Germany. Known as the last British king to lead troops into battle, during the War of the Austrian Succession in 1743 he was present at the Battle of Dettingen in Germany. It is said that George I desperately wished that his son could marry for love, and apparently he did! After investigating the prospect of marrying Caroline of Ansbach, he "...would not think of anyone else".

The couple had eight children together; five of them are also buried in Westminster Abbey. George II, who died in 1760, and his Caroline, buried side by side, were the last monarchs to be interred in Westminster Abbey.

Answer: Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton, considered by many to be the most influential scientist of all time, published his famous work, "Philosophić Naturalis Principia Mathematica", simply known as "Principia", in 1687. Newton, while perhaps best known for formulating the laws of motion and universal gravitation, also studied optics, built the first practical reflecting telescope, validated the heliocentric model of the universe, and laid the foundation for classical mechanics, which is also called Newtonian mechanics. Although he shares the credit for the formulation of calculus with Gottfried Leibniz, many believe it was done so independently.

He was buried in Westminster Abbey in 1727. Interestingly, the inscription on his grave, originally written in Latin, translates to "Here lies that which was mortal of Isaac Newton".

Answer: George Frideric Handel

Although German by birth, George Frideric Handel, one of the greatest Baroque composers, became a naturalized British subject by an act of Parliament in 1727. He wrote four anthems for the coronation of King George II; "Zadok the Priest" has been used at every coronation in England since then, typically at the time when the monarch is anointed with holy oil.

His "Messiah", first performed in 1742, is still popular among audiences today. Handel died in 1759, three days after including a codicil to his will which requested burial at Westminster Abbey.

Answer: Robert Adam

Apprenticed to and trained by his father, William, who was considered the foremost architect in Scotland at the time, Robert Adam made a name for himself working for the Board of Ordinance with the title Master Mason; it was at this time he worked on making fortifications during the Jacobite Rising in Scotland.

As Architect of the King's Works it was his responsibility to oversee the building of royal castles and residences. The design of six monuments in the Abbey are credited to Adams. He was buried in Westminster Abbey in 1792.

Answer: William Pitt

William Pitt The Elder, as opposed to his son, William Pitt the Younger, served as prime minister of England for two years from 1766-1768. A member of the King's Cabinet during the Seven Years War, he is given credit by many as being the driving force behind Britain's victory over France.

At the same time he was made prime minister, Pitt became the Lord Privy Seal, meaning that he was responsible for the King's personal seal. He finally accepted the title Earl of Chatham in 1766; prior to that, he was known as "The Great Commoner".

In 1778 Pitt was buried in Westminster Abbey, and in 1806, his son was also interred there.

Answer: William III

Also known as the Prince of Orange in his native Holland, William began the Glorious Revolution after he successfully overthrew the government of James II, who was his father-in-law. William's marriage to his first cousin, Mary, the daughter of James II, led to their becoming king and queen regnant at her insistence; this was the first time joint monarchs were crowned in England! While it is believed by historians that William held more power than Mary did, she was able to be an effective monarch when he was out of the country. Together they are probably best known for signing the English Bill of Rights in 1689, and granting a charter for the founding of the College of William and Mary in colonial Virginia. Both William III and Mary II are buried at Westminster Abbey; Mary died in 1694 and in 1702 William was buried next to her.

Answer: David Garrick

First thinking to study law, and then becoming an apprentice vintner, David Garrick was afraid to tell his family that he had become an actor because the profession carried with it such a bad reputation. He acted under the stage name of Mr. Lyddall. After an outstanding performance in his London debut of "Richard III" he told his family; David subsequently became an overnight sensation, known for being able to play a wide variety of characters and roles.

He eventually became part owner and manager of the famous Theatre Royal, at Drury Lane, where he performed, and choose the plays, as well as the actors. Both Garrick, who died in 1779, and his wife Eva, who lived to be ninety-nine, are buried in the Abbey.

Answer: Anne

Queen Anne was the last Stuart monarch of Great Britain. After her marriage to Prince George of Denmark, Anne became pregnant at least seventeen times; only five of those pregnancies resulted in the birth of live infants, and four of those babies died before reaching the age of two.

The couple's only surviving heir, Prince William, Duke of Gloucester, died when he was eleven years old in 1700; he was buried at Westminster Abbey. Consequently, Parliament passed the Act of Settlement in 1701, which stated that if William III or Anne died without heirs, the throne would be passed on to Sophia of Hanover, the Protestant granddaughter of James I. Sophia died two months prior to Anne; her heir, George Louis, Elector of Hanover, became George I of England. Queen Anne, who died in 1714, and her husband, Prince George, who died in 1708, were both buried in Westminster Abbey.

Answer: Frederick Lewis

Frederick Lewis, the heir apparent of George II, became Prince of Wales in 1728. An avid patron of the arts, Frederick sponsored the masque at which "Rule Britannia!", one of the best known British patriotic songs debuted. Also an amateur painter, Frederick was a sponsor of artists, and employed Paul Petit, an engraver who constructed magnificent portrait frames in the Rococo style. Cricket was already a popular sport in Great Britain by the time Frederick came to England, but he was absolutely wild about the game, placing bets, forming his own team, and sometimes playing.

While some believed that his death in 1751 was caused by an injury while playing, today it is believed that his death was caused by a pulmonary embolism. He was the father of the future King George III.