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Quiz about A Rumpole Quiz
Quiz about A Rumpole Quiz

A Rumpole Quiz


Poetry, claret, small cigars, gravy stains, a disreputable old hat and a passion for justice. What do you know about John Mortimer's finest creation (in my humble opinion), barrister Horace Rumpole? May contain a couple of spoilers.

A multiple-choice quiz by einhardno. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
einhardno
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
366,264
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
208
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 98 (7/10), Guest 49 (9/10), Guest 147 (9/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Rumpole's family is not large, but we do learn a bit about some of its members. Which of these is NOT true? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Like all English and Welsh barristers, Rumpole belongs to an Inn of Court, and his is the Outer Temple. In the real world, what is problematic about this? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Rumpole obtained a bad law degree from Oxford, and claims ignorance of much of the law. Which of these topics does he know a lot about? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Barristers typically belong to a set of Chambers, and the leader of such a set is usually called the Head of Chambers. Which of these never becomes Head of Rumpole's Chambers? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. One of the steadiest sources of income for Rumpole is a family of South London villains, who are often feuding with another criminal dynasty. Which two families are they? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Rumpole is a junior barrister (not a QC), but of much seniority. So sometimes he takes pupils, i.e. barristers in training. Which of these is the first pupil we encounter in the Rumpole stories? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Rumpole's colleagues Phyllida (née Trant) and Claude Erskine-Brown are prominent among the "supporting cast" in the Rumpole stories. Also, their two children appear from time to time. What are their "artsy" names? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Rumpole is not a man of religion, but he has a few professional principles which he sticks to almost religiously. Almost, because there are exceptions. Which of these is NOT one of them? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Being a barrister, Rumpole frequently appears before judges. He tends to dislike them, but which judge is first among his nemeses? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. What does Mrs Hilda Rumpole consistently call her husband? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 02 2024 : Guest 98: 7/10
Feb 18 2024 : Guest 49: 9/10
Jan 31 2024 : Guest 147: 9/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Rumpole's family is not large, but we do learn a bit about some of its members. Which of these is NOT true?

Answer: His wife, Hilda, is an accomplished professional cook

The son, Nick, marries Erica, an American, and moves to Miami. In "Rumpole's Return" (1980) we find them living there with Hilda and Horace, who has retired (not for long, though). His wife never takes a job. His father was a vicar, disillusioned with his religion and with life. His mother remains unknown to us.
2. Like all English and Welsh barristers, Rumpole belongs to an Inn of Court, and his is the Outer Temple. In the real world, what is problematic about this?

Answer: The Outer Temple is fictional, i.e. it does not exist

There are four Inns of Court in London, and all barristers in England and Wales belong to one of them. They are: Gray's Inn, Lincoln's Inn, Inner Temple and Middle Temple. There never was an Outer Temple, although there have been other inns besides the four that still exist.
3. Rumpole obtained a bad law degree from Oxford, and claims ignorance of much of the law. Which of these topics does he know a lot about?

Answer: Bloodstains

Bloodstains play an important role in several cases. Perhaps the best example is the murder trial in "Rumpole's Return" (1980). Rumpole appreciates fine wines, but does not know much about them (and cannot afford them). He also knows a great deal about typewriters, which was very significant in a case often alluded to, but never reported; the Great Brighton Benefit Club Forgery. Computers and motorcycles? That's not Rumpole.
4. Barristers typically belong to a set of Chambers, and the leader of such a set is usually called the Head of Chambers. Which of these never becomes Head of Rumpole's Chambers?

Answer: Rumpole himself

Wystan retires and is replaced by Featherstone in the first Rumpole story, "Rumpole and the Younger Generation" (1968). Ballard takes over in "Rumpole and the Old Boy Net" (1983). Although Hilda is very keen on him becoming Head of Chambers, Rumpole himself never manages to muster more than a lukewarm enthusiasm. In fact, he is glad not to have the job.
5. One of the steadiest sources of income for Rumpole is a family of South London villains, who are often feuding with another criminal dynasty. Which two families are they?

Answer: The Timsons and the Molloys

Both families are full of criminals, but the Molloys tend to be more violent and vicious, and on several occasions they try to frame some Timson or other. "Rumpole and the Female of the Species" (1983) is a splendid example.
6. Rumpole is a junior barrister (not a QC), but of much seniority. So sometimes he takes pupils, i.e. barristers in training. Which of these is the first pupil we encounter in the Rumpole stories?

Answer: Phyllida Trant

Three of these are at some time pupils of Rumpole's, but Phyllida is the first. Rumpole often calls her "Portia", in reference to Antonio's daughter in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice". Liz Probert joins Rumpole's Chambers after her pupillage, while young Khan joins Treasury Counsel. Fiona Allways was a pupil of Phyllida's.

The barrister who takes a pupil is called a pupil master or mistress.
7. Rumpole's colleagues Phyllida (née Trant) and Claude Erskine-Brown are prominent among the "supporting cast" in the Rumpole stories. Also, their two children appear from time to time. What are their "artsy" names?

Answer: Tristan and Isolde

Claude is an opera enthusiast, and especially keen on Wagner. Tristan and Isolde disapprove of Rumpole, his diet, his cigars, and most things about him ("Rumpole and the Old, Old Story", 1987).
8. Rumpole is not a man of religion, but he has a few professional principles which he sticks to almost religiously. Almost, because there are exceptions. Which of these is NOT one of them?

Answer: He never does Legal Aid cases

In England, barristers in private practice can be hired to prosecute, even after the Crown Prosecution Service was established. Rumpole only breaks his "never prosecute" principle once, but his passion for justice throws a spanner in the works ("Rumpole for the Prosecution", 1990).

A very rare example of a guilty plea - of sorts - comes in "Rumpole's Last Case" (1983). He also frequently compares himself to an old taxi, taking on any passenger who approaches the taxi rank. And his practice is almost all Legal Aid.
9. Being a barrister, Rumpole frequently appears before judges. He tends to dislike them, but which judge is first among his nemeses?

Answer: His Honour Judge Roger Bullingham

Although Rumpole is less than fond of the aptly named Graves and the annoying Northerner Oliphant, his worst enemy is definitely Bullingham, the Mad Bull. Guthrie Featherstone was Rumpole's Head of Chambers before he became a judge, and although Rumpole thinks he is spineless and indecisive, he still has a fondness for the often blundering, yet well-meaning Guthrie.
10. What does Mrs Hilda Rumpole consistently call her husband?

Answer: Rumpole

Hilda is prim and proper, and not often affectionate in her manner. Thus, she would never dream of using a derisive nickname like "Fatty", however fitting, or a familiar one like "Darling". Also, she is far from silly, so "Horry" is out.
Source: Author einhardno

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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