Breaking Bread With the Upper Crust Quiz

Answer: He ranks higher than both an Earl and a Baronet

Duke is the highest non-royal rank attainable in the UK, although many Duchies (areas historically governed by a Duke) are in fact royal and their Duke is also a member of the royal family. For example Prince Philip is the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince William is Duke of Cambridge. In descending order, the ranks are Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount and Baron.

Answer: Countess

The rank of Count no longer exists in England but it lives on in the female form. The word "county" also dates back to this historic title as the area ruled over by a Count. Count or its equivalent remains a title in many European countries: who could forget Transylvania's Count Dracula? Transylvania is in modern day Romania.

Answer: Smart

Although others might describe them as "posh", this word is never used by those who actually are! Jumping isn't traditionally associated with this milieu, and whilst rank may sound as if it is related to the lifestyles of those of high rank, it is in fact a term describing something distasteful or revolting. "That's rank!" would not be seen as a compliment! The use of "smart" is discussed by Kate Fox in her fascinating book "Watching the English" and is even used by Lady Mary on Downton Abbey!

Answer: The National Trust

The National Trust now owns a large number of the most architecturally important buildings in England. Crippling inheritance taxes meant many families were no longer able to manage their own estates, although many remain independent - notably Chatsworth House in Derbyshire.

The National Trust also manages less grand buildings which are nevertheless of significance such as the Victorian Workhouse at Southwell and back to back houses in Birmingham. The others are invented by me, although there is a "Campaign for Rural England" which interests itself in preserving the countryside and traditional country pursuits.

Answer: To the left

If the port starts with you, you must first serve the neighbour to your right, then yourself, before passing the decanter to your left. Guests must then keep passing round the table until the decanter is empty.

If someone stops passing, you should not ask for it to be passed; this would be very poor etiquette. The traditional way of getting it moving again is to ask your neighbour "Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?". If the person hogging the port doesn't get the hint and says "No", you should reply "He's a frightfully nice chap but always forgets to pass the port too".

Answer: Valet

The valet (sometimes called a gentleman's gentleman) is responsible for managing a gentleman's wardrobe and helping him prepare himself for every part of the day. The butler (or sometimes the steward) is the man in charge of the servants; you will see him serving the wine and managing other staff during your meal.

The footman is even rarer than the valet and butler these days, and will probably only be seen in royal establishments. His job would have been to serve at the table and work behind the scenes, unloading luggage, cleaning the silver, carrying up the food etc.

Answer: A female member of staff who educated the young ladies of the house

Governesses are less commonly seen these days, but were often unmarried daughters from well-to-do but sometimes impoverished families. Their job was often very lonely as they belonged neither to the servants nor the family. They provided an education in the skills considered necessary in a woman, (e.g. needlework, sketching, a little French) but not a robust education. Perhaps unsurprisingly this role is no longer to be found in the English country house; girls are now more likely to be sent away to boarding school, as their brothers always were.

Answer: Southwell Minster School

Southwell Minster School is a high-achieving state school, taking children from all walks of life with no fees payable. By contrast, the other three are old-established examples of what the English confusingly call "public schools". They traditionally offer a full "boarding school" education for pupils and charge high fees for the privilege, although these days scholarships and bursaries are generally available to children of less-wealthy parents who show particular educational promise.

Answer: Oxbridge

These two ancient universities are traditionally associated with the aristocracy but are now accessible to all who pass their grueling interview process and gain the requisite grades in their public exams. It is actually no more expensive to attend one of these universities than most other English universities for an EU student. Rank and wealth will no longer buy you an automatic place at Oxford or Cambridge.

Answer: Supper

Supper in most UK households refers to a light snack eaten just before bed, but in upper-middle and upper-class houses it is the main meal of the day. If the family is entertaining, they may upgrade the meal to "dinner" (a dinner party is rather more middle class). Middle-class households and some working- class households in the south of England would refer to this meal as dinner, whilst working-class households (and some northern middle-class households) would be more likely to use the term "tea". Complicated, isn't it?