Cornish Culture Trivia Quiz

Answer: Dumnonii

The Dumnonii were a tribe of people that inhabited parts of modern-day Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset in the south-west of England. The Dumnonii is thought to have inhabited the region from the Iron age through to the Saxon period. Interestingly, there is another Brittonic tribe called the "Damnonii" that lived around the 2nd century in southern Scotland in what was then the Kingdom of Strathclyde.

Answer: Tamar

The River Tamar is 98km (61 miles) in length and forms a major part of the border between Cornwall and Devon in the south-west of England. The Tamar's source is off the Northern coast of Cornwall and the river flows southward toward the Plymouth Sound. Interestingly, the name "Tamar" means "dark-flowing" a prehistoric etymology that also describes its more well known counterpart, the River Thames in London. The river has been designated as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Site of Special Scientific Interest as a European Special Area of Conservation.

Answer: 600

In recent years, the Cornish language has experienced something of a comeback. In 2010, UNESCO announced that the language itself was no longer extinct. In the 2011 ONS census, around 600 fluent speakers of the language were identified. The language is taught in over 10 elementary schools and attempts are being made to save the language in both written and oral forms.

The European Charter for Regional Languages protects Cornish, and the United Kingdom now recognizes Cornish as a minority language.

The language itself is in the Indo-European family and is most closely related to Welsh or Breton.

Answer: White cross on a black background

Saint Piran's flag is considered to be the national flag of Cornwall and also the county herald. It is suggested that St. Piran took the flag colors from observing white tin in the black coals of a fire. The Cornish flag is the exact reverse of the Breton national flag which is a black cross on a white background. Saint Piran is believed to have been a 4th-5th century monk and abbot of Irish descent. He is believed to have discovered tin-smelting and March 5th in Cornwall is a celebratory St. Piran's day in his memory.

Answer: Truro

Truro is located almost 230 miles from London and is Cornwall's centre of administration and the lone city within the county. The population of Truro, according to the 2011 census, is approximately 20,000 people. The cathedral in Truro was completed in 1910 and is one of the most visited place of worship in Cornwall.

Many believe the name Truro is from old Cornish meaning literally, "settlement on the river." Truro was an important stannary town where tin from the mines was stamped and assayed.

Answer: Isles of Scilly

The Isles of Scilly are located about 28 miles off the south-west tip of mainland Cornwall. The population census of 2011 suggests that just over 2,000 residents live on the archipelago. Ceremonially, the isles are considered a part of Cornwall but since 1930 has operated its own county council.

As with much of Cornwall, there are a host of Arthurian legends attached to the region. One suggests that midway between the mainland and the isles is the location of the mythical lost land called Lyonesse where Sir Tristan was said to have been a ruler. Over 80% of income made on the Isles of Scilly is accounted for by travel and tourism.

Answer: Tintagel

According to Arthurian legend, Merlin disguises Uther Pendragon as Gorlois, the Duke of Cornwall. Gorlois is at war and places his wife Igraine at Tintagel Castle. Uther impregnates Igraine while pretending to be Gorlois. The resulting pregnancy leads to the birth of King Arthur.

This version of the story is courtesy of Geoffrey of Monmouth's 12th century "Historia Regum Britanniae." Another favourite site around Tintagel is Merlin's Cave which is located beneath Tintagel Castle.

Answer: Cornish wrestling

Cornish wrestling is the oldest form of sport indigenous to the region that is still practised today. The sport is similar to the Gouren form of Breton wrestling. Combatants wear thick jackets and each wrestler can only hold on to the jacket in order to make a throw.

The objective is to throw your opponent to the ground so that they land completely flat thus earning you 4 points from the sticklers (three referees). This sport is still practices by many in Cornwall and is a regular mainstay of St. Piran's day celebrations.

Answer: Cornish Pasty

The Cornish pasty is a mainstay and beloved staple of Cornish people everywhere. Uncooked meat and vegetables are inserted into a pastry circle which then is crimped, closed, and baked. Usually, the vegetables include carrots, swede, turnips, rutabaga, onions, and potato with beef as the usual preferred meat.

The Cornish Pasty is considered the national dish of Cornwall and accounts for just under 10% of the Cornish food economy.

Answer: Crowdy-Crawn

The crowdy-crawn is a percussion instrument created by pulling a sheepskin over a wooden hoop. The name crowdy-crawn comes from the Cornish word "croder croghen" which literally translates to "skin sieve." It is believed that the instrument was derived from a farming tool used to gather and measure grain.

In other counties of Southern England, similar instruments are called "riddle drums." When not in use, the crowdy-crawn was used to hold all kinds of miscellaneous bits and pieces for storage. Nowadays the term crowdy-crawn is sometimes used for certain gatherings of people.