Castle Trivia Quiz

Answer: Glamis

Currently home to the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne, the castle was once childhood home to the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Set in a beautiful valley near to the village of Glamis, the castle was built during the 14th century, and restored in the 17th century. It is believed Shakespeare wrote "Macbeth" between 1604 and 1606. At the start of the play in Act 1 Scene 3, the three witches greet Macbeth with "All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!". He later becomes the Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland.

Answer: Corfe

Situated on a chalk ridge of the Purbeck Hills in Dorset, Corfe Castle has a strategic position above the village after which it was named. It has a long and embattled history, starting as a settlement as early as Roman times but coming more in to prominence after the main walls were built as a defense by William the Conqueror in the 11th century.

It remained a fortress during the War of the Roses in the 15th century and was later sold into private ownership in 1572 where it remained until the National Trust took over the remains in the 1980s. Swanage Steam Railway opened in 1885 and is used by railway enthusiasts and tourists to take them along a six mile journey from the coastal town of Poole, through the Dorset countryside and finishing at Corfe.

Answer: Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle was built between 1385 and 1388 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge who served in the Hundred Years War. Situated near the River Rother in the south east of England, the building was erected as a status symbol by the war hero, initially as a large manor house but with the outer appearance of a castle.

This was to deter any French soldiers if they dared to invade British shores! The large moat stood on natural springs and was far enough away from land to stop any medieval siege attacks. The castle was connected with land by a long wooden bridge, at the end of which stood a postern gate to deter intruders.

The castle today is owned by the National Trust and the building and surroundings stand more or less as they did when the castle was first built.

Answer: Ireland

Ashford Castle is a multi-turreted medieval castle in the west of Ireland, situated on the Mayo border with Galway. Built in 1228, it stayed in the de Burgo family for over 300 years until it fell to the English under the governor Lord Bingham. The basic castle was architecturally changed to resemble a French chateau in the early 18th century.

It was bought in 1852 by Sir Benjamin Guinness (member of the famous brewery family) who further extended the land to include extensive gardens and woodland.

The castle is today owned by a hotel consortium.

Answer: Caerphilly

Caerphilly Castle is situated in the south of Wales. Built as a fortification in the late 13th century by Gilbert de Clare, the main fortification stands on a central island surrounded by artificial lakes. It featured in many uprisings by the Welsh against the English, including the 1400-1415 Glyndwr rising which was a move made by rebels to gain independence from England. Several theories have been made as to why the south-east turret leans by 10 degrees, and many historians believe it was caused by damage during the English Civil War.

There have been several claims that Caerphilly has the world's most lop-sided building, beating the Leaning Tower of Pisa hands down!

Answer: Eilean Donan

The three tidal lochs are Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh. It is believed a small monastery originally stood on the site but a castle was built in the 6th century and named after an Irish saint called Donnan of Eigg. The name of the castle means "Island of Donnan".

It has since stood the test of time against many invasions, including the Vikings, the Jacobite risings of the 17th and 18th centuries, and clan warfare between the Mackenzies and Macdonalds. It is now part of a conservation area administered by Scottish National Heritage and has been the location for many popular films.

These have included "Highlander" (1986), "Loch Ness" (1996) and the 1999 James Bond film "The World is Not Enough".

Answer: Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle is situated on the Northumberland coastline near to Lindisfarne and the Holy Islands. This location has been open to the elements of the North Sea since a settlement was first built during prehistoric times. Nomadic hunters used the area as small flint tools from that time have been excavated.

The Votadini tribe built a fortress at the location at around 800BC, and the first castle was probably built in the sixth century. The current castle dates back to the early 12th century where it was used as an outpost against any attacks by the Scots. Scarborough, Hastings and Porchester Castle are all situated along the English coastline in North Yorkshire, East Sussex and Hampshire respectively.

Answer: Duke of Norfolk

Arundel Castle has been home to the Duke of Norfolk and his family for over 850 years. Close to where William the Conqueror defeated the English at the Battle of Hastings, work to build the additional fortification at Arundel started a year later against any invasion from France.

The castle was badly damaged during the English Civil War where it was besieged by the Roundheads and the Cavaliers. It has undergone extensive restoration and was one of the first country houses in England to have electricity installed in the late 19th century at a massive cost of £36,000.

The grounds today are very popular for tourists where they can watch battle reenactments and jousting competitions take place.

Answer: Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle was built originally as a motte and bailey castle in 1068 under the instructions of William the Conqueror. It was later upgraded with a curtain wall, square keep and gatehouse. The defensive towers called Hill Tower, North Tower, Bear Tower, Clarence Tower, Guys Tower and the imposing Caesars Tower were all built during the 14th and 15th centuries.

The nearby River Avon meanders for nearly 75 miles through the English countryside, from its source in Northamptonshire, westwards through counties including Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and across in to the Severn Estuary.

It was used for centuries to transport goods by boat, including food, fuel and ammunition.

Answer: Tintagel Castle

Tintagel was the legendary birthplace of King Arthur. The name is believed to be taken from the Cornish word "Dintagel" for "din" which means fort and "tagel" which means neck, narrow or constriction. The castle ruins lie on a small peninsular in the north of Cornwall atop rocky cliffs.

The only access is by climbing a staircase alongside the cliff face. Nearby is Merlin Cave which is the place where the wizard Merlin allegedly lived, although this is impossible as the cave fills with water at high tide. Tintagel Castle is an iconic tourist attraction, and people who visit can't help but feel the sense of atmospheric aura and mystery that surrounds the area.