Special Sub-Topic: Women in Fact and Fiction Click Here To Play: Women in Fact and Fiction

Which famous divorcee said, 'One can never be too thin or too rich'?

Wallis Simpson. The woman who caused the Abidication Crisis in the UK.

Whose dance was rewarded by King Herod with the head of John the Baptist?

Salome. Nasty piece of work, King Herod.

Which character from Greek mythology, immortalised in a play by Euripides, killed her own children to spite her husband?

Medea. Her husband was Jason of the Argonauts, and Medea was portrayed by Euripedes as being a witch.

Which female singer and songwriter wrote and performed the single 'Love and Affection'?

Joan Armatrading.

Who was the woman Lord Peter Wimsey loved and eventually married in the detective novels of Dorothy L. Sayers?

Harriet Vane. He first met Harriet Vane in 'Strong Poison' where she was on trial for having poisoned her lover. They were eventually married in 'Gaudy Night.' He was once engaged to Barbara and he had taken Marjorie out a couple of times.

What was the name of Odysseus' wife?

Penelope. In Homer's 'Odyssey,' Penelope was hassled by all the suitors who Odysseus got rid of after his 10-year long journey back from the Trojan Wars. Penelope had been a faithful wife.

Which queen of England succeeded Edward VI to the throne?

Lady Jane Grey. Lady Jane Grey, known as the nine day queen was installed as queen before being usurped by Princess Mary (Mary I) and locked in the Tower of London.

Which tennis player won her first Wimbledon Singles Championship in 1978 and her last in 1990?

Martina Navratilova.

Who was the patron saint of music and of makers of musical instruments?

St. Cecilia. Feast Day on the 22nd of November. She was traditionally the inventor of the organ.

Which New Zealand born detective novelist wrote about the detective Roderick Alleyn and his sidekick Inspector Fox?

Ngaio Marsh. She was made a Dame of the British Empire, not for her writing but for services to the theatre in New Zealand.

In Hindu mythology, who is the goddess of destruction and death? She is also known as Durga.

Kali. Sarasvatis is the goddess of knowledge and Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. It was to Kali that the thugs sacrificed their victims.

Which classic film actress said 'I acted vulgar, Madonna IS vulgar'?

Marlene Deitrich.

Which very famous film actress starred in 'Courage of Lassie' and 'Lassie Come Home'?

Elizabeth Taylor.

Who wrote the book 'Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe'?

Fannie Flagg. A good book and a good film.

In Greek mythology, from whose blood was the horse Pegasus said to have sprung?

Medusa.

Which pioneer of nursing kept a small pet owl in her pocket?

Florence Nightingale & florence nightingale. She was also apparently a real hypochondriac.

Which 18th century European empress was noted for her leadership skills, for embracing Enlightenment ideas, and for having lots and lots of lovers?

Catherine the Great. She was quite a woman and ruled Russia between 1762 and 1796, having her lover to bump off her husband Peter III.

Who is the main heroine of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' who eventually marries Mr Darcy?

Elizabeth Bennett.

Who's last words, upon being executed, were 'Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit'?

Lady Jane Grey. She was the great-granddaughter of Henry VII and didn't really want to be queen but was persuaded into it by her father-in-law and ruled for only nine days.

Who was the state of Maryland named after?

Henrietta Maria. She was the queen of Charles I.