The Seat of Power Trivia Game | Cultures

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. I've been up to London to visit the Queen before, but she was really nice, so I'll go again. I remember that her coronation throne is called St. Edward's Chair, but in which London landmark will I find it?

Answer: Westminster Abbey

Ah yes. MY throne is more comfortable. I don't know why the English monarchs think the Stone of Destiny might be comfortable to sit on; maybe that's why they let the Scots look after it in Edinburgh for most of the time these days. During coronations, it's tucked under the actual seat, but even that's just a slab of oak that Walter of Durham carved in the late 1200s. Edward Longshanks wanted somewhere to keep the Stone of Scone (which they tell me is the other name for the Stone of Destiny) which was originally captured from the Scots in 1296. Okay, it's lovely to look at, but not my cup of tea.

2. I can tell immediately that the Rock of Cashel is not going to be superior to MY purrrfect throne. It was the traditional seat of power for the kings (and cats, of course!) of Munster, in which European country?

Answer: Ireland

Actually, in its day, Carraig Ph�draig (Rock of Cashel for you non-Irish speakers) looks as though it was a pretty grand structure. Now...well, they should put a roof on it to keep out the rain. I hear that St Patrick baptised King Aengus, the first Christian monarch in Ireland, there. About 500 years after that, Brian Boru was crowned there. I do know that at that time Ireland was a series of small kingdoms, much like England, but Brian was pretty good at unifying the disparate groups - for a while, anyway.

There's another throne room in Dublin, too, but no time to look at that this trip!

3. Next, I'm off to Russia, to discover if there is a worthy opponent to MY throne. Which Tsar, who fully earned his unflattering title, owned the Ivory throne?

Answer: Ivan the Terrible

Hmmmm, this is terrible. A very nice looking piece of work and a MOST comfortable looking red cushion; but this throne is decorated with ivory and walrus bone. I guess in 16th century Russia, they didn't think that was a bad thing, but the Tsar it belonged to was certainly a BAD MAN. Anyway, mine is still superior.

4. I've come to Sweden to visit the seat of power of their monarchs. It's elaborate and pretty of course, but it looks a little uncomfortable. Made for Queen Christina's coronation in 1650, from what material is the throne made?

Answer: Silver

In fact, the throne is called 'the Silver Throne'. I found it in the Royal Palace of Stockholm. The works of Abraham Drentwett of Bavaria who also made the chair, are without exception filled with detail and beauty. It would certainly look spectacular in the coronation ceremony. I had a closer look and it looks like the chair has a nice comfy cushion that I could curl up on. Maybe it's okay after all!

5. The bronze throne of Dagobert, which dates from the mid-6th century, was last used by which Emperor, when he created the L�gion d'Honneur in 1804?

Answer: Napoleon I (Bonaparte)

For a second I thought they said "Dogobert" - I'm not going near any dogs!! Inferior creatures. Dagobert was King of the Franks and Austrasia, and he made Paris his capital. Anyway, the "Throne of Dagobert" was more like a stool until Charles the Bald came along a couple of hundred years later and added a back and the arms.

Much more comfortable. Still not a patch on MY throne. I'll keep looking.

6. Now, THAT's a throne! It's made from wood, but was covered in gilt bronze by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the mid-17th century. It's not used any longer, but in the olden days, a newly-elected pope was allowed to sit on it (I hope it was more comfortable than it looks!). True or False: Found in Vatican City, it is named the 'Chair of St Luke'.

Answer: False

The apostle credited with founding the church at Rome is Peter, rather than Luke, and the chair can be found in the apse of St Peter's Basilica. I climbed up there and curled up for a while, and though I got a good view from way up there, I really think MY throne is finer!

7. I might have to revise my idea of what a good throne looks like. The Royal Castle, in which this throne sits, was built for King Sigmund III Vasa in the late 1500s. In what country is this grand Throne room?

Answer: Poland

The Royal Castle is in Warsaw and after extensive bombing in World War II, it was meticulously rebuilt. I can see myself sitting on this throne - it's nearly purrrrfect. It has angels all over the place and even some gilt ones on the back of the chair. Fit, in my opinion, for the Queen of Creatures, like meeeeeeeeeow.

8. This throne I expected to be made from orange fabric, but I was mistak.... er, misinformed! It has a delicious canopy and little turrets on top, the coat of arms, and it's on a dais which sets it above the seated citizens. The monarch of what country gives the annual 'Troonrede' from this seat?

Answer: Netherlands

I think I would like to ensconce myself on top of the canopy and observe the goings on of the Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights). When Parliament opens, the Dutch monarch arrives in a golden coach to deliver a speech from the throne. A lovely throne. If someone asks about the fur on the seat, you can assure them it wasn't from when I tried it out.

9. Now there is a lovely throne. I have padded my way all round it and I find it very pleasing. It's guarded by life-sized lions! Purrrrfect! Of which country did I find the 'Throne Chair' in the Castle of Rosenborg?

Answer: Denmark

I could take some ideas from this throne to make MY purrfect one at home even better. It is made from narwhal tusk (tsk, tsk), and originates from back in the 1660s when it was constructed by order of King Frederick III. The ornamentation is amazing.

It is complemented by gold figurines (added later that century, I hear). But what I eyeing off with my green eyes is the lovely cushioned seat. I will take a selfie in this one!

10. I really like this place. It has plenty of trees and is really fertile. I guess that's because it's only about 3 kilometres from Sparta, in Laconia. Bathycles of Magnesia was the guy who designed the temple complex that became known as the 'throne of' which mythical god?

Answer: Apollo

Well, arriving here, I'm not disappointed in the scenery, but I am disappointed that I can't actually try the throne out. Apparently it became buried somehow and all I can see are fragments at the local museum. Oh, and there's a picture that someone's drawn from the description. Pretty impressive. Hmmm, this one might be superior to my purrrrfect throne, so perhaps it's a good thing it's not around anymore.

Source: Author VegemiteKid

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

The Seat of Power Trivia Quiz

I have a purrrrfectly wonderful idea! I shall go on a Grand Tour of European Monarchs and see if they are as majestic as I am. I will test each throne to ensure MINE is superior, as I know it must be.

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