The AnswerBank Articles

What were the Highland Clearances

A. A time of terrible suffering in Scotland. The clearances were blamed, as ever, on the English, although absent Scottish landlords were the true culprits. Q. How did it all start A. After00:00 Mon 17th Sep 2001

How did the Great Fire of London start

A. When a baker forgot to turn off his oven. Q. Oh dear. What happened A. It was on the night of 2 September, 1666. Thomas Farrinor (sometimes spelled Farynor), of Pudding Lane, baker to King00:00 Mon 10th Sep 2001

Who was Prince Eddy

A. The rather dodgy son of the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) and grandson of Queen Victoria. Q. Why dodgy A. He was a dissolute idler, believed to be homosexual and was even suspected of00:00 Mon 10th Sep 2001

What were the corn laws

A. They were a series of laws and taxes that brought wealth to the farmers and poverty and protest throughout Britain. They were repealed amid fears that they would cause revolution and anarchy. 00:00 Fri 10th Aug 2001

What's going on a Silbury Hill

A. A team of surveyors has started preparing the hill for electronic scans to reveal how much damage has been caused by the collapse of 230-year-old mine shaft in May, 2000. Thanks to Doubris for00:00 Mon 27th Aug 2001

Who was the last witch to be tried

A. Her name was Helen Duncan (1897-1956). The story, as you may have deduced, is a strange one. In March, 1944, Duncan was charged under the Witchcraft Act (1735), tried at the Old Bailey, found00:00 Mon 27th Aug 2001

Did Nonesuch Palace ever exist

A. Yes - but not for long. And it was called Nonsuch. Henry VIII started building work on 22 April 1538, at a site once occupied by the manor house, church and village of Cuddington - near what is00:00 Mon 27th Aug 2001

How did Charles II escape Cromwell

Charles IIA. Charles II became King upon the execution of his father in 1649 and continued to wage war against the Parliamentarian forces. But he was beaten soundly at the Battle of Worcester on 300:00 Mon 20th Aug 2001

Who was Aleister Crowley

A. Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) was a self-proclaimed drug and sex fiend, author of many books on the occult and a leader of a cult called Ordo Templi Orientis. He also described himself as the00:00 Mon 20th Aug 2001

Why are cats associated with witchcraft

A. For thousands of years, cats have been regarded as mysterious creatures with supernatural powers. Thanks to mruczek for the question. During the so-called European witch craze of 1100-1700, the00:00 Mon 20th Aug 2001

Was Alfred that Great

A. In a word, yes. Alfred is the only English monarch in history to carry the title. Even Sir Winston Churchill - not known for his modesty - when told that he must be the greatest Englishman,00:00 Mon 13th Aug 2001

Was there something mysterious about the death of Goering's wife

A. Not her death - but her burial. Carin Fock was born 21 October 1888, the daughter of a Swedish baron and his Anglo-Irish wife. Q. And how did they meet A. Carin was married to a Swedish00:00 Mon 13th Aug 2001

Is there any truth in the myth of the Bisley Boy

A. This is a legend that, essentially, Queen Elizabeth I died young and was replaced by a boy. Thanks to allycotton for the question, but the answer is no. Q. Be specific. A. Bisley in00:00 Mon 13th Aug 2001

Tell me about Cumberland and Culloden

A. Ah! I see you have already been reading the Answerbank pieces on the Young Pretender and the Old Pretender. The Duke of Cumberland was in charge of the King's troops at Culloden - the last major00:00 Mon 06th Aug 2001

What was the Spanish Armada

A. A vast fleet of ships that set out to invade England in 1588. Q. I need a bit more than that. A. Its full name was La felicissima armada - 'the most fortunate fleet'. It comprised 150 ships,00:00 Mon 06th Aug 2001

Who was Tutankhamen

A. Good question from Aten, there. We've all heard of him ... but who was he Here's the quick answer: King Tutankhamen of Egypt was born about 1347BC and is known more for the events of his death00:00 Mon 06th Aug 2001

Who was Mrs Jordan

A. She was the mistress of the Duke of Clarence, later King William IV. Thanks to Jim Gregory for the question. Q. So he never married her A. Oh no. Kings don't do things like that! I expect00:00 Mon 30th Jul 2001

Where is Hitler buried

A. Can't give you a definitive answer on this. There are so many contradictions and counter-claims that it's difficult to say with any certainty. However, the most probable answer is Magdeburg in00:00 Mon 30th Jul 2001

Did anyone try to assassinate Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria 1854A. Yes. There were seven attempts - all, obviously, unsuccessful. The all-powerful and utterly grumpy Queen died in 1901 aged 81. Seven attempts were made: In 1840, 1842 (two),00:00 Mon 30th Jul 2001

How was the Sally Army formed

A. By William Booth. He was son of a speculative builder, and born at a red-brick terrace at Sneinton, Nottingham, in 1829. Q. A poor family A. Yes. These were poverty-stricken times and the00:00 Mon 23rd Jul 2001