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North East Quiz 8

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Test your knowledge of North East England with out latest North East quiz focusing on the history, geography and culture of the region.

Roman gatehouse at Arbeia
Reconstruction of Roman gatehouse at Arbeia : Photo © David Simpson

1, Which place in the North East was known to the Romans as Arbeia meaning ‘place of the Arabs’? In Roman times it was home to a unit of bargemen from the River Tigris in what is now Iraq.

2, What is the name of the sculptor who created Tommy at Seaham and Fiddlers Green at North Shields?

‘Tommy’  at Seaham. Photo: © 2018 David Simpson

3. Which North East comedian was known as ‘The Little Waster’?

4. Who was the Norton-on-Tees born director of Quadrophenia and creator or Auf Wiedersehen Pet (which he pitched to Ian La Frenais)?  He also created TV’s Master Chef.

5, What was the name of the community venture situated in a County Durham town that was sometimes known as the Pitman Academy? It unearthed and encouraged the talents of pitmen like the writer, Sid Chaplin and local artists Norman Cornish and Tom McGuinness?

6. What is the name of the river local to Ashington and Morpeth?

River Wansbeck near Sheepwash, Ashington.
The River at Sheepwash near Ashington. Question 6, Photo © David Simpson 2018

7. Which North East castle chillingly claims to be Britain’s most haunted?

8 .What was supposedly slain at Cleve’s Cross near Ferryhill by Hodge of Ferry around the year 1200?

9. Who was the author of De Temporum Ratione (The Reckoning of Time) that became the major influence for the way in which we still count our years today from the birth of Christ ?

10. What shapes feature on the ancient and mysterious prehistoric markings such as those found on Doddington Moor in north Northumberland?

11. Which famous entertainer and comedian once resided in Bishop Auckland and in North Shields’ Dockwray Square – where there is a statue to his honour?

Stan Laurel, Laurel Park, Dockwray Square, North Shield
Dockwray Square, North Shields. Photo © David Simpson 2018

12. What is the official name of the Lady of the North, a 44 acre landscape sculpture near Cramlington.

Northumberlandia, the Lady of the North
The Lady of the North. Photo Question 12. © David Simpson 2018

13. Where in the North East did King Canute allegedly have his hair cut in the year 1031 before visiting St Cuthbert’s shrine at Durham?

14. Name the Middlesbrough-born artist and former shipyard worker noted for his abstract art and ‘square sheep’?

15. In which Northumbrian dale can you find Otterburn?

16. In 1747 what did the Sedgefield vicar’s wife do to her deceased husband to ensure that she kept receiving payment for parish tithes?

17. Where on the North East coast would you find Sparrow Hall?

The remains of Sparrow Hall in the old part of Cullercoats.
The remains of Sparrow Hall. Photo © David Simpson 2018

18. Which frequently altered Northumberland village-name provided the inspiration for a lengthy comedy routine by the comedian Stewart Lee?

19. What famous painting by Velazquez was housed for many years in a grand hall near Barnard Castle from which it took its name?

20. What are the names of the twin rivers with valleys just to the west of Durham City that join near the town of Langley Moor before joining the River Wear near Croxdale?

21. Which North East city has a place-name that is thought to mean ‘separated land’?

Jack Crawford nailing his colours to the mast, Mowbray Park
Jack Crawford nailing his colours to the mast Question 22: Photo © David Simpson

22. Where would you find a monument to Jack Crawford, hero of the Battle of Camperdown, nailing the colours to a ship’s mast?

23. The Prudhoe-born and Berwick-raised actor Henry Travers (1974-1965) is famous for playing which role in a black and white, Christmas themed movie?

24. For what notorious activity was the Northumbrian village of Boulmer principally noted in the eighteenth and early nineteenth century?

25. Name the South Shields-born director (left)  whose movie credits include Blade Runner, Gladiator, Thelma and Louise, Blackhawk Downand Alien?

 

26. What links the crags on which Hadrian’s Wall stands, Bamburgh Castle rock, the Farne Islands and High Force waterfall in Teesdale?

27. What was the name of the Anglo-Saxon palace of King Edwin of Northumbria of which the outlines including an auditorium can be traced in aerial photographs in Glendale to the west of Wooler?

28. What is the surname of the Ryton-born folk duo sisters Rachel and Becky?

29. Hesleyside in North Tynedale was the principal seat of which North East border clan?

30. Which famous North East MP commemorated in song once resided at Whitworth Hall near Spennymoor?

Whitworth Hall.
Whitworth Hall. See question 30. Photo © David Simpson 2018

31. Alnwick, Sedgefield and at one time Chester-le-Street are linked by which February tradition?

32. Where was the Dean and Chapter Colliery located?

33. Which famous North East ship, built at Wallsend In 1907 captured the Blue Riband prize for her eastbound transatlantic voyage that was achieved during the maiden voyage return? She then went on to claim the same prize for the westbound journey across the Atlantic during 1909.

Segedunum and the Tyne at Wallsend.
Segedunum Roman fort (bottom right). Photo © David Simpson 2018

34. Segedunum was the Roman name for the fort in which North East town?

35. What remarkable discovery was found at Howick on the Northumberland coast in 1983?

36. In terms of national boundaries what is unusual about the course of the river called the Bowmont Water in North Northumberland.

37. Name the Bishop of Durham who founded Durham University?

38. What links names such as Shaftoe, Storey, Robson, Charlton, Heron, Milburn, Collingwood, Armstrong, Elliot, Fenwick, Forster, Ridley, Nixon, Potts and Pringle?

39. Which Northumberland village gave its name to the battle of 1018 which resulted in the loss of much Northumbrian territory and more or less established the border with Scotland as it exists today?

Raby Castle
Raby Castle © David Simpson 2018

40. Brancepeth Castle near Durham, Raby Castle in Teesdale and Middleham Castle in Wensleydale were the principal seats of which powerful northern family of medieval times?

Answers below

Answers

  1. South Shields
  2. Ray Lonsdale
  3. Bobby Thompson
  4. Franc Roddam
  5. The Spennymoor Settlement
  6. River Wansbeck
  7. Chillingham
  8. The Brancepeth Brawn, a wild boar
  9. The Venerable Bede
  10. Cup and Ring markings
  11. Stan Laurel
  12. Northumberlandia
  13. Trimdon
  14. McKenzie Thorpe
  15. Redesdale
  16. She pickled him, to preserve his body and pretend he was still alive
  17. Cullercoats
  18. Shilbottle
  19. The Rokeby Venus
  20. The River Browney and River Deerness
  21. Sunderland
  22. Sunderland’s Mowbray Park
  23. Clarence the Angel in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
  24. Smuggling
  25. Ridley Scott
  26. The Great Whin Sill
  27. Ad Gefrin (Yeavering)
  28. Unthank
  29. The Charltons
  30. Bobby Shafto
  31. Shrove Tuesday football matches
  32. Ferryhill
  33. The Mauretania
  34. Wallsend
  35. Traces of a Stone Age house
  36. The river begins in Scotland then heads northward – yes northward – into England
  37. William Van Mildert
  38. They’re all Border Reiver surnames
  39. Carham on Tweed
  40. The Nevilles
County Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne, North East Quiz, Northumberland, Sunderland

North East Quiz 7

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Old Bridge, Berwick.
North East Town Quiz Question 1 © David Simpson 2018

1.      Which North East town changed hands between Scotland and England 13 times but has been permanently part of England since 1482?

2.      Who was the famed Newcastle-born admiral who was second in command to Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar? His prominent statue stands near the mouth of the Tyne.

3.      What is the name of the 200 feet long Teesdale Waterfall situated at the eastern end of Cow Green Reservoir?

4.      Which London football club takes its name from Henry Percy, the thirteenth century Northumbrian battle hero, who was the son of the Earl of Northumberland?

Dog Leap Stairs, Newcastle
Dog Leap Stairs, Newcastle. Photo David Simpson

5.      The Dog Leap Stairs on Newcastle Quayside are mentioned in which song by Dire Straits?

6.      In which North East town would you find the Percy Tenantry Column, otherwise known as the ‘Farmers’ Folly’?

7.      Ad Caprae Caput meaning  ‘head of the goat’ was the name the Venerable Bede used for which North East town?

8.      William Wouldhave and Henry Greathead of South Shields were noted for the invention of what?

9.      Which North East village with its notable castle was named from a Northumbrian queen called Bebba?

10.  What was the name of the Newcastle merchant’s daughter who eloped with future Lord Chancellor John Scott after escaping from the upper window of a Newcastle Quayside house using a ladder in November 1772.

Bessie Surtees
Quayside elopement

11.  What 320 million year old fossilised feature can be found in a churchyard at Stanhope in Weardale?

12.  In historic times criminals who sought protection of sanctuary at Durham Cathedral for 37 days were then escorted to which North East port before they were banished abroad forever?

Peter Lee
Question 13. Gave his name to a North East town.

13.  What was the name of the trade union leader (1864-1935) who was head of England’s first all Labour County Council that assembled at Durham? His name was later adopted as the name of a North East town.

14.  Where did the Allendale miner known as ‘Jack the Blaster’ reside from around 1782.

15.  Which glam-rock singer was born in Washington in 1945?

16.  Which famous poet was married at Seaham in 1815?

17.  Which South Tynedale town has a name that derives from the meaning ‘high fork’ probably from a junction of the river and a neighbouring burn?

18.  In North East dialect what is a booler?

19.  Din Guaire (or Din Guayroi) was the Celtic name for which North East castle site and is sometimes associated with the legendary Joyous Guard, the reputed castle of Sir Lancelot, the Arthurian knight?

20.  Who were the two North East mayors respectively known as ‘Newcastle’s Dick Whittington’ and ‘Durham’s Dick Whittington’?

Gainford.
Village near Darlington. Question 21 © David Simpson 2018

21.  Which pretty North East village was a popular place of retirement for Darlington residents, has a Jacobean hall and an historic church that reputedly stands on the site of a Northumbrian chieftain called Ida or Eda?

22.  What place was known to the Romans as Concangis and to the Anglo-Saxons as Conecaster?

Hexham Abbey
Hexham Abbey Photo © 2018 David Simpson

23.  Which Northumbrian saint links Hexham Abbey and Ripon Cathedral?

24.  In the 13th century which town was described as “So populous and of such commercial importance that it might rightly be called another Alexandria, whose riches were the sea and the water its walls”?

25.  Which North East song begins with the words “As aa cam’ thro’ Sandgate, Thro’ Sandgate, thro’ Sandgate, As aa cam’ thro’ Sandgate’ Aa heard a lassie sing”?

26.  Which well-known North East drink is sometimes known as ‘Dog’?

Souter Lighthouse
Electric Lighthouse, Question 27: Photo © David Simpson

27.  What was  the first lighthouse in the world to be purposely built to be powered by electricity and the first to use alternating current?

28.  By what name is the George V bridge in Newcastle better known?

29.  In historic times what North East town was often labelled as being ‘in the dirt’ from the poor state of its roads?

30.  What battle took place near Durham City in 1346 in which the Scottish king, David II was captured?

31.      Built in 1796 by Roland Burdon of Castle Eden, which bridge was then the biggest single-span bridge in the world?

32.      What disease was discovered by this Longbenton-born physician and scientist in 1855 and takes its name from his surname?

 

33.      Which bishop began the building of Durham Cathedral commenced in 1093?

Durham Cathedral viewed from Gilesgate
Durham Cathedral viewed from Gilesgate. Photo: ©  David Simpson

34.      Who officially opened the present Redheugh Bridge in Newcastle in May 1983?

35.      Who wrote the lengthy much acclaimed North-East themed poem ‘Briggflats’ in 1966?

36.      The verses of which peculiar nonsense poem that appeared in Lewis Carroll’s Alice through the Looking Glass were written at Croft on Tees near Darlington and at Whitburn near Sunderland and appear to be inspired by North East worm legends?

37.      What was the name of the TV entertainer and magician born in 1938 who hailed from South Bank on Teesside?

38.      The residents of which North East town are known as ‘Sand Dancers’?

Gargoyles, Wallington
Strange gargoyles, Question 39.  Photo © David Simpson 2018

39.  Where would you find these strange creatures (above) and in which city did they originate?

40.  What was the surname of the Bernard (or Barnard) from which the Durham town and castle of Barnard Castle takes its name?

Answers below

 

 

ANSWERS

  1. Berwick on Tweed
  2.  Cuthbert Collingwood
  3. Cauldron Snout
  4. Tottenham Hotspur named from Harry Hotspur
  5. Down to the Waterline
  6. Alnwick
  7. Gateshead
  8. Lifeboat
  9. Bamburgh
  10. Bessie Surtees
  11. A tree stump
  12. Hartlepool
  13. Peter Lee whose name was adopted for the town of Peterlee
  14. The cliff at Marsden near South Shields where we now find the Marsden Grotto,
  15. Bryan Ferry, lead singer with Roxy Music
  16. Lord Byron
  17. Haltwhistle
  18. An iron hoop used and stick used as a children’s toy
  19. Bamburgh
  20. Roger Thornton (Newcastle); Sir John Duck (Durham)
  21. Gainford
  22. Chester-le-Street
  23. St Wilfrid
  24. Berwick on Tweed
  25. The Keel Row
  26. Newcastle Brown Ale
  27. Souter Lighthouse near South Shields
  28. The Tyne Bridge
  29. Darlington
  30. Neville’s Cross
  31. The original Wearmouth bridge at Sunderland
  32. Thomas Addison: Addison’s Disease
  33. William St Carileph (or St Calais) a Bishop of Durham
  34. Diana, Princess of Wales
  35. Basil Bunting
  36. The Jabberwock
  37. Paul Daniels
  38. South Shields
  39. Wallington Hall in Northumberland, they are originally from London
  40. Balliol

 

County Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne, North East Quiz, Northumberland, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Tees Valley

North East Quiz 6

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How well do you know North East England? Test your knowledge with our latest North East quiz.

Memorial to the Victoria Hall tragedy Sunderland
Memorial to the Victoria Hall tragedy : Photo © David Simpson

1. Where did the Victoria Hall disaster that claimed the lives of 183 children through crushing at a music hall event take place?

2. Where would you now find the Cale Cross, a former market cross that once stood on the Newcastle Quayside?

Cale Cross in the grounds of Blagdon
The Cale Cross. See question 2. Photo © David Simpson 2018

3. Which  small town was the North East birthplace of the legendary Liverpool Football club manager Bob Paisley?

4. What is the historic estate village of Raby Castle that once gave its name to a medieval shire?

5. What famous North East business was established at number 5 Market Place, South Shields in 1894?

6. In which Durham village will you find a manor house of the 1670s, and Old Hall of the early 1600s; a substantial village green and a sculpture commemorating a footballing feat?

7. Which alcoholic drink was invented by Lieutenant Colonel James Porter in 1927?

Elvet Bridge, Durham
Durham. Photo © David Simpson 2018

8. Which area of Durham City is thought to have a name that means ‘swan island’?

9. Kielder Water reservoir is situated in the valley of which North East river?

10. Name the Middlesbrough-born songwriter, whose creations include Fool (If You Think It’s Over), Let’s Dance, On the Beach, The Road to Hell and Driving Home for Christmas

11. What was the name of the Sunderland songwriter who wrote the Christmas song ‘Little Donkey’?

12. Which impressive National Trust property in Northumberland built by Sir John Vanburgh suffered from disastrous fires in 1752 and 1822 that leaves much of the building an empty shell to this day.

Vanbrugh architecture, Northumberland. Photo © David Simpson 2018

13. What is situated near Bishop Auckland and described as one of the largest ancient monuments and one of Britain’s most important early industrial landscapes with traces of early medieval mining, medieval field boundaries and evidence of Iron Age farming settlements?

14. Which North East river changes its name about half way along its course after passing the site of Bewick Mill?

The Till Valley near Chillingham
The river that changes its name, Northumberland. Photo © David Simpson 2018

15. Born in 1959 what is the real name and stage name of the Leeds-born and Darlington raised comedian who formed a unique partnership with a Middlesbrough-born comedian.

16. What is the Wrekendyke and which North East place was named from it during the nineteenth century?

17. Killhope Wheel museum in Upper Weardale is dedicated to which important North East industry?

18. What are Megstone, Elbow, Wideopens, Goldstone, The Bush, Glororum Shad, Gun Rock, Brownsman, Callers, Crumstone, Fang, North and South Wamses, Roddam and Green, Big and Little Harcar, Nameless Rock, Blue Caps and Longstone?

19. The prominent cone-shipped building of 1787 at Lemington in Newcastle was a former works used in the manufacture of what kind of product?

Lemington Glass Cone Newcastle
Lemington Cone : © David Simpson

20. What is the name of the famous North East born actor and comedian who was a former pupil of Durham Chorister School near Durham Cathedral?

21. Which rugged North East castle, now a National Trust property was converted from a castle into a private residence by the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens?

22. Oswin, a King and saint of Deira is reputedly buried at which North Eastern coastal location?

23. Which North East town was once used as the film set for the TV series Supergran?

24. Where in the North East will you find the Old Low Light, New Low Light, Old High Light and New High Light?

25. At what North East park might you find Neptune in the middle of a lake, a folly in the form of a medieval tower and a temple of Minerva?

Temple of Minerva, Hardwick Park, Sedgefield
Temple of Minerva. Photo © John Simpson 2018

26. Dainty Dinah was the brand name for sweets and toffees once produced in which North East town?

27. What is the name of the Billingham-born actor who played the title role in the 2000 film Billy Elliot?

28. What was the name of the British Prime Minister who was born at Windlestone Hall in County Durham?

29. For which famous anthem was the songwriter Geordie Ridley (pictured) principally remembered?

 

30. Which North East waterfall can be found in a little valley near Bellingham in North Tynedale where it cascades with “sudden dash and bound and splash, with rout and shout and roar and din”

31. What horrific event happened on the morning of Thursday, January 16, 1862?

32. What is the alternative name for St Mary’s Island near Whitley Bay?

St Mary's Island near Whitley Bay.
St Mary’s Island near Whitley Bay. Photo © David Simpson 2018

33. The Dickens novel ‘Master Humphrey’s Clock’ was inspired by a clock maker working in which North East town?

34. Which sheep-like breed of dog takes its name from a Northumbrian mining town?

35. What lies just offshore from the coastal village of Amble and takes its name from Amble’s river?

36. Football manager Sir Bobby Robson MBE was born in the Durham mining village of Sacriston but in which neighbouring village did he grow up?

37. What is the title of the man depicted on the statue in the centre of the market place in Durham City and which North East town and coal port was he famous for constructing?

The 'man on the horse' Durham
The ‘man on the horse’ Durham. Photo © David Simpson 2018

38. Which North East family associated with Blagdon Hall near Cramlington were closely associated with the development of the town and port of Blyth?

39. Which noted US politician whose ancestors took their name from Roddam in Northumberland also has ancestral connections to the Stanley area of County Durham?

40. Jeremiah Dixon of Cockfield in County Durham gave his name to which border in the United States that gave its name to which kind of music?

Answers below

 

 

Answers

  1. Sunderland, near Mowbray Park
  2. On the edge of the Blagdon Hall estate
  3. Hetton-le-Hole
  4. Staindrop, there was a once a district called Staindropshire
  5. J. Barbour & Sons
  6. West Auckland
  7. Newcastle Brown Ale
  8. Elvet
  9. The North Tyne, North Tynedale
  10. Chris Rea
  11. Eric Boswell
  12. Seaton Delaval Hall
  13. Cockfield Fell
  14. The River Breamish becomes the River Till at the site of Bewick Mill
  15. Vic Reeves (real name Jim Moir) who formed a comedy double act with Middlesbrough’s Bob Mortimer
  16. Wrekendyke is the name of a Roman road from which the name of Wrekenton was created
  17. Lead mining
  18. They are all name for individual islands and rocks that form the Farne Islands
  19. Glass
  20. Rowan Atkinson
  21. Lindisfarne Castle
  22. Tynemouth Priory
  23. Tynemouth
  24. North Shields
  25. Hardwick Park, Hardwick Hall near Sedgefield
  26. Chester-le-Street
  27. Jamie Bell
  28. Sir Anthony Eden
  29. The Blaydon Races
  30. Hareshaw Linn
  31. The Hartley Colliery Disaster (Hester Pit)
  32. Bate Island
  33. Barnard Castle
  34. Bedlington Terrier
  35. Coquet Island
  36. Langley Park
  37. Marquess of Londoderry. Seaham Harbour.
  38. Ridley / White Ridley
  39. Hilary Clinton
  40. The Mason-Dixie line which gave rise to the name Dixieland and Dixieland Jazz.

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