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Not Proven! Trivia Quiz

Madeleine Smith gained a certain notoriety because the verdict at the murder trial came back as 'Not Proven'. The Scottish jury obviously believed she was guilty, but the prosecution did not prove the fact beyond a shadow of a doubt.

A multiple-choice quiz by ArleneRimmer. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
ArleneRimmer

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
169,594

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
800

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The victim was known as Emile, but what was his given name? Hint

Pierre Emile de la Croix

Emile Pierre Langlier

Pierre Emile L'Anglier

Emile Pierre de la Croix

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Both Emile and Madeleine were the eldest children in their respective families, and each had the same number of siblings. How many siblings did they each have? Hint

six

four

three

one

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. When did Madeline and Emile meet? Hint

Spring 1855

Autumn 1834

Summer 1902

Winter 1876

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. By what nickname did Emile know Madeline? Hint

Scotty

Lover

Mimi

Pumpkin

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Did Madeline ever entertain Emile in her family's home?

Yes

6. During the time that Madeline was seeing Emile, she was introduced to an eligible suitor, William Minnoch. He was a friend of her father's, and the couple got engaged. By what name did Madeline call him which upset Emile? Hint

Bobby

Billy

Sailor

Ochhy

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. What did Madeline buy at the apothecary's shop which was to lead to her being put on trial for murder? Hint

cyanide

powered lead

prussic acid

arsenic

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. How many times did Madeline purchase this poison in the last thirty days of Emile's life? Hint

twice

four times

once

three times

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Emile was to have two post mortems (autopsies) within a week of his death, but how long was it before Madeline was arrested for his murder? Hint

4 years after his death

19 days after his death

82 days after his death

2 years after his death

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. What were the very last words Madeline ever said on the subject of the murder of her lover? Hint

'It was Mary Perry.'

'I did it.'

'Not guilty.'

'They never found out.'

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The victim was known as Emile, but what was his given name?

Answer: Pierre Emile L'Anglier

Emile's mother was born Victorie Melanie de la Croix. He was born on 30 April 1823 on the island of Jersey, and did not come to Glasgow until 1852, where he eventually met Madeleine Smith.

2. Both Emile and Madeleine were the eldest children in their respective families, and each had the same number of siblings. How many siblings did they each have?

Answer: four

Emile had three sisters and a brother, while Madeleine had two brothers and two sisters. Their home lives were very different, however, as the Langliers were working-to-middle class, owning a seed shop, and Madeline's father was a wealthy architect.

3. When did Madeline and Emile meet?

Answer: Spring 1855

They were to correspond for three years before Emile died; most of Madeline's letters survive to this day, but Emile's letters were destroyed, save for a few drafts which were found in his effects after his death.

4. By what nickname did Emile know Madeline?

Answer: Mimi

Most of Madeline's letters to Emile were signed 'Mimi', as were letters to their friend Miss Mary Perry (who knew of the love affair). This is seemingly a shortened form of her given name, but we do not know if it was bestowed upon her by Emile, or whether it was generally used by her acquaintance.

5. Did Madeline ever entertain Emile in her family's home?

Answer: Yes

Occasionally her sister Janet would sleep in Madeline's room as there was a fireplace in there, but on the occasions when she did not, Madeline would sneak her lover into the house after the family was asleep.

Answer: Billy

Minnoch was a successful Glaswegian merchant, and eminently suitable in the class-conscious society in which Madeline lived. Madeline accepted his proposal on 28 January 1857, which left her in a very awkward situation of being engaged to a suitable man, and considering herself married to an unsuitable one at the same time.

7. What did Madeline buy at the apothecary's shop which was to lead to her being put on trial for murder?

Answer: arsenic

She bought the arsenic, and signed the poison book, on 21 February 1857, just twenty four days after getting engaged to Minnoch. Although there was no evidence that Madeline and Emile met that day, he was ill with stomach cramps the following day, and was ill for a week.

8. How many times did Madeline purchase this poison in the last thirty days of Emile's life?

Answer: three times

Madeline attempted to buy prussic acid in the week prior to her first purchase of the arsenic. She was to buy arsenic and sign the poison book three times in the following weeks.

9. Emile was to have two post mortems (autopsies) within a week of his death, but how long was it before Madeline was arrested for his murder?

Answer: 82 days after his death

She was officially served an indictment on 13 June 1957, and was moved to Edinburgh on 24 June as legal authorities thought it best to move her away from her native Glasgow. Madeline was actually arrested on two counts of attempted murder, and one of murder.

10. What were the very last words Madeline ever said on the subject of the murder of her lover?

Answer: 'Not guilty.'

These words were spoken from the dock on the first day of her trial. She was never again to mention anything about Emile, although she lived on for many more years. It is uncertain whether she died in 1893 or 1928 as she took on a different identity in the USA and there is confusion as to the dates on the death certificate of that person.

Source: Author ArleneRimmer

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

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