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1] Where did Sir Francis Drake land when he once claimed California for Queen Elizabeth I of England?

He landed near what is now San Francisco, in 1579, whilst being pursued by the Spanish.

To evade them he was trying to reach the fabled Northwest Passage, which early navigators imagined would connect the Pacific with the Atlantic to the north of Canada.

When he landed in California the Indians warmly welcomed him and his crew. They thought the Englishmen were gods and offered them their entire country along the California seaboard.

2] Which British sovereign first took up residence in Buckingham Palace and what was it then known as?

Queen Victoria was the first sovereign to take up residence at Buckingham Palace in 1837.

King George III originally purchased Buckingham House in 1761 for his wife, Queen Charlotte. It was intended to be a comfortable family home close to St James's Palace, where many court functions were held.

Buckingham House became known as the Queen's House, and 14 of George III's 15 children were born there.

3] What happened in 1857 in Britain which eased the condition of women?

Until the first Divorce Court was established in 1857 it was common practice for men to trade their unwanted spouses like any other possession.

Before the Divorce Court was established, the only legal way of disposing of an unwanted spouse was by Act of Parliament. This process would have cost about £3,000 in the 19th century (That's over $42,000 in modern day values).

This sum was far beyond the means of most people. But it was firmly established in the popular mind, particularly in the poorer areas like the West Midlands, that a wife could be bought and sold in the same way as any other good or service.

4] Which great city owes its existence to a little ford?

The first London Bridge was constructed by the Romans around the year 60 AD. Since then there have been at least 5 versions of the bridge.

London owes its existence to a ford that apparently still exists beneath the Thames mud opposite the Houses of Parliament.

Julius Caesar's legions took this route before going on to storm the heights to the north, such as Primrose Hill, Hampstead, and Highgate.

They might have followed the line of the River Fleet, which now flows through the sewers beneath the street that bears its name.

5] You know the Bank of England's nickname but what was the actual name of the woman?

The Bank of England is also known as 'The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street'.

Synonymous with strength and security, the Bank of England lies right in the heart of the City of London, one of the premier financial centres in the world.

The 'Old Lady' in question was a real person, Sarah Whitehead, whose brother Philip was a disgruntled former employee of the Bank.

He was found guilty of forgery in 1811 and executed. Sarah became mentally disturbed by the shock and scandal of the whole affair, and every day for the next 25 years she appeared at the bank, asking for her brother.

6] What do 1851 and public toilets have to do with each other?

The success of public lavatories used at the Great Exhibition, held at Hyde Park in 1851, led to the widespread installation of public toilets in London.

The Great Exhibition comprised works of industry from all nations and was the first international exhibition of manufactured goods. It was modelled on successful French national exhibitions, but it was the first to open its doors to the world.

In 1851 Great Britain was widely recognised as the leader of the industrial revolution. The exhibition in London was conceived to symbolise their industrial, military and economic superiority.
George Jennings, an engineer, was given responsibility for providing public conveniences at the exhibition.

7] What ship, designed for the Hungarian emigrant service, came to the rescue of another in 1912?

The British ship Carpathia was the first ship to sail to the aid of the 'unsinkable' Titanic.

The Carpathia was primarily designed for the Hungarian emigrant service between Fiume and New York and made its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York, via Queenstown on May 5, 1903.

The accommodation was far superior to anything previously offered to emigrants and the 3rd class accommodation was of a good standard. There were also public rooms for 3rd class passengers and all meals were included in the fare.

8] Who created the jingle for the Star Spangled Banner?

An Englishman originally wrote the melody that Francis Scott Key had in mind when he wrote the poem in 1814.

It would be another 117 years before the United States adopted the song as their official national anthem. In 1814 Britain was at war with many of the major countries in the world, including America. During one engagement at Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, the British forces had laid siege to the Fort and were shelling it.

A young American, Francis Scott Key, went to ask the British to release a friend who had been taken prisoner some time before. A naval commander agreed to his friend's release, but kept both men in protective custody until the attack was over.

While writing his lyrics, Scott Key had the tune in mind, which was a melody used at hymn meetings. Ironically, it had been written in England by John Stafford Smith (1750 - 1836) as an anthem for a London social club.

9] In the days of Peeping Tom, what was Godiva’s real name?

A tailor called Tom was supposed to be the only person to see Lady Godiva ride naked through Coventry in the 11th century. He was immediately blinded by the wrath of heaven.

Godiva's real name was Godgifu, and she was married to Earl Leofric of Mercia, one of the four all-powerful lords that ruled England under Canute, the Danish king. She was also a rich landowner in her own right, and the most valuable of her properties was Coventry.

Godgifu was wise, religious and charitable. But her husband Leofric did not share her religious beliefs or her fondness for the Midlands. He tyrannised the church, and mercilessly squeezed an oppressive tax from the people of Coventry to pay for King Canute's bodyguard.