Special Sub-Topic: Britain, my Britain Click Here To Play: Britain, my Britain

Which member of the Royal family was both a great-grandson AND a great-great grandson of Queen Victoria?

Prince Alastair. Prince Alastair, 9/8/1914 - 26/4/1943 was a member of the Windsor family, but denied princehood and the right to be called your Highness in 1917. He was given a courtesy to use the Title Earl of MacDuff by his maternal line and later became 2nd Duke of Connaught on the death of his grandfather. Through his father's family tree he was a great grandson, while through his mother's he was a great- great-grandson.

Which 19th century law reformer is associated with the foundation of the University of London in 1826?

Jeremy Bentham. His will stipulated that the bequest was made on condition that he was disected as part of a public anatomy lecture, after which his skeleton and head were kept in a wooden cabinet and the skeleton padded with hay and dressed in his clothes. For the 100th and 150th anniversary on the college it was brought to the council meeting but listed as present but not voting. When America published the Declaration of Independence, John Lind issued a rejection and reply for the British Government which didn't want to respond officially. Carstairs and Smethwick are fictional.

What event took place between 3rd and 14th September 1752 in Britain?

Nothing . The change in the calendar was originally made by Pope Gregory in 1582, but the British switch was delayed till 1752, thus creating a 'loss' of 11 days. There was widespread resistance to adopting the new calendar all across Europe by Protestants and Orthodox countries and, as is well known, Russia still used the Gregorian calendar at the time of the Revolution.

Which town in Northern England was frequently swapped between England and Scotland?

Berwick on Tweed. As Berwick was alternately English and Scottish, when it came to its official status, it was considered a separate entity. Roughly translated its name means Barley Farm or Village. When under Scottish rule it was known as South Berwick in order to distiguish it from North Berwick, near Edinburgh.

Which Norfolk town was home to the first holiday camp in 1906?

Caister on Sea. The camp was called Dodd's Socialist Holiday Camp. It was started by John Fletcher Dodd in 1906. He was a fonder member of the Independent Labour Party. There was a complete restriction on alcohol, any camper caught talking too loudly after 11pm was evicted, guests were housed in tents and if they weren't kept spick and span occupants were fined 6d. Today the camp is run by Haven Holidays.

What put the time back on Big Ben in 1945?

A flock of starlings. The flock settled on the minute hand and their weight caused the hand to reverse. The clock has stopped or been slow several times since it was started in 1859. Two causes were very cold weather and human error.

What landmark in Wales has moved half a mile further inland over the centuries?

Harlech Castle. First built in 1256, on the coast, the castle has slowly 'moved' inland because since then the sea has receded a great deal, leaving a set of 127 steps that used to reach down to the sea for water supply, now rendered difficult to imagine.

What was made illegal in Scotland in 1745?

Wearing kilts. Following the 1745 Rebellion by Bonnie Prince Charlie and his supporters, the ban on kilt wearing was in place until 1783, the exception being military pipers and even then it had to be in the regimental colours.

What in the 16th Century was taxed at a rate of 2s and 6d?

Playing cards. This amount was more than many people earned in a month. In that century card playing was popular and as such considered a prime target for revenue. All decks were levied with the tax and proof of payment was a mark on the ace of spades.

What was it once illegal for women to do?

Cause a nuisance with abusive or argumentative language. This law was enacted in 1585. Any woman found guilty had to wear a headpiece that resembled a cage. The law remained on the statute book till 1967, when it was removed from the statute book under the Criminal Law Act.