Notable Nobles Trivia Quiz

Answer: Lord Snooty

Lord Snooty is a classic character from 'The Beano', a British comic that first appeared in 1938. He's a posh young aristocrat who wears a top hat and tails and prefers the company of working-class kids over his stuffy upper-crust peers. Despite living in a grand castle and having access to wealth and servants, Snooty often sneaks out to join his scrappy gang of pals from Ash Can Alley, engaging in mischief, games, and adventures that poke fun at class divides.

His stories were a cheeky satire of British social hierarchies, making him one of the comic's earliest characters. Over the decades, he evolved through various revivals and reinterpretations, sometimes appearing with new sidekicks or in cameo roles. Though his original strip ended in 'The Beano' comic magazine, in the 1950s, his legacy endured. He's often referenced as a symbol of The Beano's irreverent spirit and its knack for turning stereotypes on their head.

Answer: Baroness Wootton of Abinger

Baroness Barbara Wootton of Abinger (1897-1988) was a trailblazing British sociologist, criminologist, and public intellectual. Educated at Girton College, Cambridge, she excelled in economics but was denied a degree due to her gender.

After being widowed in 1917, she devoted herself to public service and scholarship, becoming the first woman to lecture in economics at Cambridge and holding influential positions with the Labour Party, Trades Union Congress, and Morley College.

A committed humanist and socialist, she was appointed a life peer in 1958. Wootton was one of the first women in the House of Lords.

Answer: Duke

Duke is the huge, shaggy Newfoundland mix introduced in 'The Secret Life of Pets' as Max's unexpected new roommate. With his massive frame and boisterous personality, Duke initially disrupts Max's comfortable life, leading to rivalry and a wild adventure across New York City. Despite his rough exterior, Duke is sensitive and deeply affected by the loss of his elderly owner, leaving him heartbroken and alone.

As Duke and Max face run-ins with rebellious animals, including a feral alley cat gang, they are captured by Animal Control but then rescued by Snowball, a white rabbit and leader of a group called the Flushed Pets, who harbour a grudge against humans for abandoning them. Max and Duke join Snowball's gang under false pretences, but when Snowball discovers their true domesticated nature, he becomes their enemy and pursues them relentlessly.

Snowball's pursuit leads to several confrontations, but ultimately he teams up with Max to rescue other Flushed Pets, including Duke, from Animal Control. Snowball's tough exterior hides a desire for belonging, and by the end, he is adopted by a young girl named Molly, finding a new home and leaving his anger behind. Max and Duke's bond grows as they face these challenges side by side and return to their loving homes.

Answer: Earl of Grantham

In the British drama 'Downton Abbey', Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, is the patriarch of the Crawley family and master of Downton Abbey. Steeped in tradition and duty, he strives to preserve the estate and its legacy amid the sweeping social changes of the early 20th century. His deep sense of responsibility often puts him at odds with modern ideas, yet he remains devoted to his family and the well-being of those who live and work at Downton.

Though outwardly reserved, he reveals warmth and vulnerability as he navigates personal and financial challenges. His marriage to Cora, an American heiress, brings both affection and occasional tension, especially when their daughters challenge convention. Over time, the Earl learns to adapt, however reluctantly, to a changing world.

Answer: They are piped into decorative shapes before baking

Duchess potatoes are a classic French dish made from mashed potatoes. They're enriched with egg yolks, butter, and seasonings, then piped into elegant shapes and baked until golden. Their crisp exterior and creamy interior make them an upgrade from standard mash. The mixture is typically piped using a star-shaped nozzle, giving each portion a decorative flourish that browns beautifully in the oven.

To prepare them, starchy potatoes like Maris Piper or King Edward are boiled, mashed until smooth, and blended with butter, egg yolks, salt, pepper, and sometimes a hint of nutmeg. The mixture is then piped onto a baking tray and baked until the edges turn golden and slightly crisp. Duchess potatoes go well with rich meats and sauces.

Answer: Baron Munchausen

Baron Munchausen is a flamboyant, larger-than-life character famed for his wildly exaggerated tales of adventure and heroism. Inspired by the real 18th-century German nobleman Hieronymus von Münchhausen and popularised through Rudolf Erich Raspe's 1785 satirical book, 'Baron Munchausen's Narrative of His Marvellous Travels and Campaigns in Russia,' he boasts of riding cannonballs, pulling himself out of a swamp by his own hair, and even journeying to the Moon.

He is often depicted with a twirling moustache, aristocratic attire, and a gleam of mischief in his eye. He embodies the spirit of storytelling itself. Whether duelling mythical beasts or outwitting entire armies, the Baron's irresistible charm lies in his unwavering belief in his own legend, inviting audiences to suspend disbelief and revel in the sheer joy of the impossible.

Answer: Marquess of Queensberry

The Marquess of Queensberry Rules, first published in 1867, laid the foundation for modern boxing as a regulated sport. Drafted by John Graham Chambers and endorsed by John Sholto Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry, these rules introduced key innovations such as the use of gloves, three-minute rounds, a one-minute rest between rounds and a ten-count for knockouts. They replaced the brutal bare-knuckle brawls of earlier eras with a more structured and safer form of competition.

Today, the Queensberry Rules remain the backbone of professional boxing worldwide. While the sport has evolved with weight classes, scoring systems, and global sanctioning bodies, the core principles: gloved fists, timed rounds, and referee oversight still reflect the Victorian-era reforms. The Marquess's legacy lives on through boxing.

Answer: 9 days

Lady Jane Grey's reign as Queen of England lasted for just nine days in July 1553. She was proclaimed queen after the death of her cousin, King Edward VI, who had named her his successor in an attempt to prevent the Catholic Mary Tudor from taking the throne.

Jane, a devout Protestant and highly educated noblewoman, was only 16 years old when she was thrust into power. Her accession was orchestrated by powerful political figures, notably John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, who hoped to maintain influence through her rule.

However, Jane's claim was quickly challenged. Mary Tudor rallied support across England, and within days, she was deposed and imprisoned in the Tower of London. Though she had little desire for the crown and was largely a pawn in others' schemes, she was executed in February 1554 after Mary's reign was secured and a rebellion threatened her rule.

Her tragic story has since become a symbol of innocence caught in the ruthless politics of Tudor succession.

Answer: Bergamot oil

Earl Grey tea is a distinctive black tea blend flavoured with oil of bergamot, a citrus fruit that gives it a floral and slightly spicy aroma. It's named after Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey, who was the British Prime Minister in the early 1830s.

While popular legend claims the tea was a diplomatic gift from a Chinese mandarin to Earl Grey after one of his men saved the mandarin's son, this story is widely considered a myth. Charles Grey never travelled to China, and there is no credible evidence that such a gift occurred. The exact origin of the recipe remains uncertain.

Earl Grey has been referenced in popular culture, with Captain Jean-Luc Picard from 'Star Trek' famously ordering Earl Grey 'hot'.

Answer: Julia Quinn

'The Viscount Who Loved Me' is the second book in Julia Quinn's popular 'Bridgerton' series, published in 2000. The novel was a New York Times Best Seller.

It's set in London during the Regency period and follows the story of the eight Bridgerton siblings. Anthony Bridgerton, the eldest sibling and viscount, decides to marry for duty rather than love, choosing Edwina Sheffield as his ideal match.

Her protective sister, Kate, disapproves of Anthony's reputation, sparking constant clashes that turn into attraction. Their enemies-to-lovers story explores fear, vulnerability, and family duty, with subplots involving Anthony's fear of bees and Kate's fear of storms.