Royal Recreation Trivia Quiz

Answer: Charlemagne

Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was a skilled military strategist. He spent much of his reign engaged in warfare in order to accomplish his goal: unite all Germanic peoples into one kingdom, and convert his subjects to Christianity. When he died in 814, Charlemagne's empire encompassed much of Western Europe, and he had also ensured the survival of Christianity in the west.

Aachen was originally a Roman spa called Aquisgranum. Charlemagne, interested in athletic pursuits, was known to be highly energetic. Because of his love of hunting, horseback riding and swimming Aachen held particular appeal for him due to its therapeutic warm springs. The chapel holds the remains of Charlemagne and as part of Aachen Cathedral, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Answer: Bear-baiting

Individual bears were chained to a post in a bear-ring. A group of dogs tried to kill the bear by biting its throat. A ring was even built on the grounds of Whitehall so that the Tudor monarchs could watch bear-baiting from the windows of the palace.

When Queen Elizabeth went on her tours of England, townspeople put on large bear-baiting shows for her. Queen Elizabeth also forbade plays to be performed on Thursdays in order not to interfere with bear baiting events.

Answer: Too many young men were hurt while playing it.

There was no limit to the number of people on each side and the goalposts were set about one mile apart. The rules also allowed players to pick up and throw the ball as well as kick it into the opponent's net. The sport was often rough, with physical clashes and contact often resulting in players being badly injured or accidentally crushed. Since the casualties were invariably those who might be needed for the army - young, fit men - Henry banned the sport.

Answer: He persuaded the Emperor not to paint the Great Wall of China.

Emperor Shih Huang-Ti oversaw the building of the Great Wall of China from 220-206 BC. Thousands of laborers were killed during its construction period. Yu Sze was the only one who dared criticize his plan to paint the Great Wall. Yu Sze is remembered today in China as a national hero. Using jokes and riddles he persuaded the Emperor not to paint the Great Wall which would have resulted in thousands more dying.

Answer: human hair

During Henry's reign a leather pouch was stuffed with hair and sometimes putty, tied with "rope" made of animal intestines and muscles. The ball could also be bounced off the walls and points were scored by hitting the ball into one of three goals high in the walls. Tudor tennis rackets were made of wood and strung with sheep gut and were curved slighty, resembling a shovel.

It is said that Anne Boelyn was watching a tennis match when she was arrested.

Answer: Kamehameha II

Kamehameha II was known to be impulsive. The ancient Hawaiians had keen interest in boats and Kamehameha knew that his father (Kamehameha the Great) used Western military technology and armed ships to conquer the islands. The ship was estimated to be worth approximately $80,000 at the time.

The king also gave free passage to missionaries between islands who enjoyed holding services onboard, because the acoustics for hymns were better on the ship than in thatched huts they usually used.

Answer: True

With a weak monarchy, powerful nobles and a constant threat of invasion, military training was compulsory for all males over 12. James II's Act of Parliament of 6 March 1457 banned golf and football. The edict prohibited the playing "gowf" and football because they were a distraction from archery practice necessary for military purposes.

Answer: Frederick II

Frederick II was king of Sicily and Jerusalem, King of the Germans and Holy Roman Emperor, ruling most of what is now Italy and Germany as well as various territories around the Mediterranean (including Malta and Palestine). His book has been described as being a book for falconers written by a falconer. Generally considered the lengthiest written work by any reigning monarch of Europe of the time, it defined the standard of this unique form of hunting with notes on ornithology and his own illustrations.

Answer: False

In a joust with Gabriel Montgomery Henry II received a mortal head wound and later died of septicemia. The grief-stricken Catherine banned the sport. She adopted a broken lance as her emblem inscribed with the words "From this come my tears and my pain" ("Lacrymae hinc, hinc dolor").

Answer: Mary Queen of Scots

When Mary was imprisoned at Fotheringhay Castle her jailer, Amyas Paulet, known to be cruel and stern said "this is no time for you to indulge in exercise or amusement." After her execution, her lady-in-waiting claimed that Mary's headless body was wrapped in the cloth from the table.