Special Sub-Topic: Fictional Characters and Real Kings Click Here To Play: Fictional Characters and Real Kings

Under whose reign would you find Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe"?

Richard I. In the novel, he is a contemporary of Robin Hood. In fact, according to the book, "Robin Hood - A Mythic Biography" by Steven Knight, Sir Walter Scott's depiction of Hood in this story may well have shaped the character into the modern version.

Under whose reign would you find monk-detective Brother Cadfael?

Stephen. The Brother Cadfael Mysteries are set in that very unstable time in British history, when King Stephen warred with Matilda for control of the throne. In the book "Brother Cadfael's Penance," the two even make an appearance.

In whose reign are the adventures of James Bond set?

Elizabeth II. The novels are set after WWII and George VI. The spy has always served "Queen and Country."

Under whose flag sailed Captain Horatio Hornblower?

George III. Hornblower's career spans the Napoleonic era, from 1774-1823. He met Catherine the Great at one point, and was a contemporary of George Washington. And of course, the other George. The one who taxed tea.

I say, Watson - who was ruling England while Sherlock Holmes was detecting?

All of these (Victoria, George V, Edward VII). According to Doyle, The Great Detective's life stretched from 1854-1957, encompassing all three rulers, plus three more. Long-lived, wasn't he?

Who ruled Blighty during the career of "The Scarlet Pimpernel"?

George III. What, you didn't think he was British? And after that great Leslie Howard performance, too? Anyway, this proto-superhero operated during 1793 and 1794 - the French Reign of Terror, which would make this the reign of George III.

And what of MacDuff, slayer of Macbeth? Who ruled England during this Scottish incident?

Edward the Confessor. Had to pick him - Macbeth, Duncan, and Malcolm are all real people! Anyway, MacDuff was Macbeth's contemporary, which meant he killed Macbeth around 1057, which meant that Edward the Confessor was on the throne.

We mustn't forget Dickens. Under whose reign would you find Samuel Pickwick, of the "Pickwick Papers"?

George IV. Many of Charles Dicken's works were set in the early 1800s. This particular book begins in 1827, near the end of George's reign.

And who towered over Samuel Gulliver?

Anne. Gulliver's first travels began, according to Gulliver himself, in 1699, continuing for several years. Although this would normally place him in William and Mary's reign, his travels went on for several years. This would mean that most of his adventures occurred during the reign of the last of the Stuarts, Queen Anne, whose reign began in 1702.

Which English ruler presided over an adventure of Doctor Who? (You'll notice I've left out Bess II. Think about the historical episodes.)

George II. Trick Question. Although a time traveller, the Doctor has not visited ALL of human history. He picked up his Scottish companion Jamie in the episode "The Highlanders," set during the Jacobite Rebellion and the reign of George II, but he never visited the eras of the other two. He did, however, meet Richard I in "The Crusades." And, of course, much of his best work was done during the reign of Elizabeth II.

Do you know, I couldn't find any famous fictional characters from The "War of the Roses"? Hello, would-be novellists...