Dr. Syn-"The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" Quiz

Answer: Patrick McGoohan

Patrick McGoohan was one of the most talented actors I've ever seen. He was born in New York on March 19, 1928. He almost decided to become a priest, but later changed his mind and went into acting. (And how GLAD I am of that!) I think Walt Disney chose the perfect person for the role.

This takes place around 1775, when America was on the edge of the Revolution. Dr. Syn felt that the tax laws of King George III were too harsh. He took over as leader of a smuggling gang, known as "The Gentlemen of the Marshes" already organized in the Romney Marsh area on the southern coast of England, near the White Cliffs of Dover. They smuggled in goods from Holland, France and Belgium (such as brandy and silk.) Dr. Syn, Mr. Mipps and John Banks never took any of the money from the sales of these goods. The money was divided up and given to the poor families in the marsh area. Dr. Syn's "Scarecrow" mask hid his face, and he disguised his voice. Only Mr. Mipps/"Hellspite" and John Banks/"Curlew" knew his real identity. He had the most wicked laugh! (Not the laugh in the theme song-the one that Patrick McGoohan could do.)

Dr. Christopher Syn was a real person. He went through his earlier life as a pirate (known as Captain Clegg), later to change his life around and become the Vicar of Dymchurch. Only his sexton, Mr. Mipps, knew of his past. John, Harry, Kate and Sir Thomas Banks were names made up by Walt Disney Studios, although these people did exist.

Answer: Mr. Mipps

Mr. Mipps was Dr. Syn's sexton. On some websites, you'll see where some people believe his first name was "Sexton", but that is incorrect. I've never been able to find out exactly what his first name was. A sexton, according to "Webster's Dictionary", is "A maintenance man in a church, responsible for the care and upkeep of the church property and sometimes for bell-ringing or supervising burials in the churchyard."

Mr. Mipps was played by George Cole. He was also perfect for the role. Mipps wore a mask that looked like a brown skull and also disguised his voice. (He scared poor Mrs. Waggett, who ran the local inn, almost to death!)

Answer: John Banks

John Banks was the younger son of Sir Thomas Banks, Squire of Dymchurch. He was around 15 years old-pretty young for such a dangerous mission! If any of them had been caught, it meant death by hanging! I believe John chose to join the smugglers because of his bitterness against the King's law that any man could be press ganged into service of the King's Navy. John's own brother, Harry, was taken on his eighteenth birthday, and not heard from again for four years. "Curlew" was named after his mask which, of course, was that of a curlew.

John Banks was played by Sean Scully-another excellent choice! "Curlew" was never allowed to speak when with the smugglers, probably because he may not have been able to disguise his voice enough not to be recognized.

Answer: Dymchurch

Walt Disney Studios did an excellent job of re-creating the real church and surrounding area. To see the real church, one good website is www.dymchurchchurch.org.uk. Click on "St. Peter & Paul Dymchurch", or go to microsites2.segfl.org.uk. There are some good photos of the real church and some history of the village of Dymchurch.

Answer: General Pugh

General Pugh was quite a ruthless man, which is why King George chose him. He gave the general full freedom to do whatever he felt he needed to do to stop the smugglers. General Pugh, as he himself put it, "relished the task". He tried several forms of intimidation, but the people of Dymchurch would never talk.

Answer: Phillip Brackenbury

General Pugh thought Phillip Brackenbury was a fool. Phillip did not approve of the general's ways. He didn't approve of men being press ganged into the Navy, and above all, men being tortured to answer the general's questions. He fell in love with Sir Thomas' daughter, Kate, and in the end decided to resign his commission in the army.

At first, Sir Thomas refused his permission to allow Phillip to marry Kate, but eventually changed his mind.

Answer: Simon Bates

Simon Bates was born in America. He had come to England, hoping to arrange a meeting with members of Parliament, to try to explain America's wish for freedom from English rule. However, he was branded a traitor, and sentenced to hang for "preaching sedition".

He was imprisoned at Dover Castle, but managed to escape. He came to a home owned by a widow known as Mother Hathaway (in the Disney version-Mother Handaway in real life). She sent him to Dr. Syn, who had Mipps take him to Mrs. Waggett's inn to be hidden.

Answer: True

This was tried by Joe Ransley. He was afraid of being arrested by General Pugh, so he agreed to turn King's evidence and claim the 1000 pounds reward. However, he failed as the "Scarecrow" found out and stopped him.

Answer: Harry Banks

The deserter turned out to be Sir Thomas' oldest son Harry. Dr. Syn (both as himself and as the "Scarecrow") managed to help Harry escape.

Answer: No

Soldiers, Excise men and even King George himself tried and tried, but never could catch them. Walt Disney Studios chose one of the many songs written about the "Scarecrow" for the theme song. Here are the lyrics:

"Scarecrow, Scarecrow
The soldiers of the King feared his name.
Scarecrow.

On the southern coast of England
There's a legend people tell
Of days long ago when the great Scarecrow
Would ride from the jaws of Hell
And laugh with a fiendish yell.

With his clothes all torn and tattered
Through the black of night he'd ride
From the marsh to the coast
Like a demon ghost
He'd show his face, then hide
And he'd laugh, till he split his side.

Scarecrow, Scarecrow
The soldiers of the King feared his name
Scarecrow, Scarecrow
The country folks all loved him just the same.

He would always help the farmer
When there was no gold to bring
He'd find a way for the poor to pay
The taxes of the King
'Scarecrow!' every man would sing.

So the King told all his soldiers
Hang him high or hang him low
But never return till the day I learn
He's gone in flames below
Or you'll hang with the great Scarecrow!

Scarecrow, Scarecrow
The soldiers of the King feared his name
Scarecrow, Scarecrow
The country folks all loved him just the same.

Scarecrow, Scarecrow, Scarecrow"

In the Disney version, the theme song was played in this order in part one. In parts two and three, they reversed the last two verses. The song was sung by Terry Gilkyson, although he never received credit for it.

To find out what happened to the real Christopher Syn, go to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Syn. All of the details are there. I hope you enjoyed this quiz! Thanks for playing!