General Knowledge Quiz

[randyrippley]

An advert for the upcoming Bayeux Tapestry.

No

a clue - it became a rallying war-cry for the Saxons during the battle of Hastings

 

[SuspectUsual]

I feel that yoyothehobo should really be doing this but as Steve passed it to me here goes.......

Apologies to @yoyothehobo indeed it should have been you. My fault entirely

 

[MotCO]

Apologies to @yoyothehobo indeed it should have been you. My fault entirely

I think I would have preferred @yoyothehobo 's question

 

[GRALISTAIR]

No

a clue - it became a rallying war-cry for the Saxons during the battle of Hastings

Oh dear that means my answer is probably incorrect. I was going to say that he swore an oath on some relics at the church which he broke and that was a pretext for Williams invasion.

 

[randyrippley]

Oh dear that means my answer is probably incorrect. I was going to say that he swore an oath on some relics at the church which he broke and that was a pretext for Williams invasion.

Another clue
It was made of black flint and allegedly full size

 

[GRALISTAIR]

A crucifix?

 

[xotGD]

A statue of the Virgin Mary

 

[randyrippley]

A crucifix?

Yep, I think that's the closest anyone is going to get. Over to you.

It was a black flint (or marble?) cross dug up on the hill in Montacute, Somerset during Cnut's reign and taken to Waltham. There's quite a legend about it.
Part of the tale is that when Harold prayed to it prior to the battle it "bowed down off the wall" - probably means it fell down. That was taken as a portent of doom...........
A second smaller cross was found with it and also taken to Waltham, that may have become the cross which was taken to Scotland by St Margaret, becoming the "Black Rood of Scotland" - housed at Holyrood House.

If anyone wants to read more, try https://www.becsnotes-montacute.co.uk/montacute-snippets/montacute-s-legend-of-the-holy-cross
The local belief was that the crosses were found in the grave of Joseph of Arimathea. Or it could have been a scam by the local monks to get more pilgrims through the door (and so more cash)

 

[yoyothehobo]

Apologies to @yoyothehobo indeed it should have been you. My fault entirely

I wouldnt have been about for a few days anyway!

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Well as I did not expect to get the question correct (a crucifix seemed logical though) and as @yoyothehobo should have been setting the question anyway, I will NOT declare Open Floor but open the pilgrimage to yoyothehobo.

 

[yoyothehobo]

Well as I did not expect to get the question correct (a crucifix seemed logical though) and as @yoyothehobo should have been setting the question anyway, I will NOT declare Open Floor but open the pilgrimage to yoyothehobo.

Okie dokie.

The Ainu are the/an indigenous population of which country.

 

[randyrippley]

Okie dokie.

The Ainu are the/an indigenous population of which country.

Japan

and if I'm right it's open house

 

[yoyothehobo]

Japan

and if I'm right it's open house

Correct, specifically Hokkaido.

Open house it is!

 

[krus_aragon]

What do the following individuals have in common?

David Tennant
Robbie Coltraine
Shirley Henderson
Matt Smith
Hugh Skinner
Martin Freeman
Rob Brydon
Sally Hawkins

 

[xotGD]

Have all been interviewed by Graham Norton

 

[krus_aragon]

Have all been interviewed by Graham Norton

They may have, but that's not what makes this list exclusive.

 

[DaleCooper]

They may have, but that's not what makes this list exclusive.

Are you saying these and only these share a particular attribute? That wasn't clear in the question.

 

[krus_aragon]

Are you saying these and only these share a particular attribute? That wasn't clear in the question.

Sorry, I might have been a bit loose in by choice of words.

It could be argued that a few others can share the attribute (depending on how you defined it), but the listed people are certainly the main examples.

A hint: The connection might have come to your mind over Christmas.

 

[krus_aragon]

This question seems to have run out of steam already, so here's the answer I was looking for: These individuals voiced the title characters in the BBC's adaptations of Julia Donaldson books over the past years:

David Tennant: Highwayman Rat
Robbie Coltraine: The Gruffalo
Shirley Henderson: The Gruffalo's Child
Matt Smith: Superworm
Hugh Skinner: Zog
Martin Freeman: Stickman
Rob Brydon: The Snail and the Whale (Whale)
Sally Hawkins: The Snail and the Whale (Snail)

The floor is open again...

 

[DaleCooper]

The floor is open again...

Next question:

What is the meaning of the abbreviation IRHD?

 

[Neo9320]

Infra red heating device?

 

[MotCO]

I'm Right Hand Drive?

 

[yoyothehobo]

International Refuge for Hippos

 

[DaleCooper]

Infra red heating device?

I'm Right Hand Drive?

International Refuge for Hippos

None of the above.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I am a polymer chemist so I think it is fair to all that I don’t answer - but of course I have given a huge clue - sorry Dale!

 

[DaleCooper]

I am a polymer chemist so I think it is fair to all that I don’t answer - but of course I have given a huge clue - sorry Dale!

No need for an apology, you've saved me the trouble of thinking up a clue.

 

[Neo9320]

International Refuge for Hippos

Though this is not the answer, it really should be lol

 

[DaleCooper]

I am a polymer chemist so I think it is fair to all that I don’t answer - but of course I have given a huge clue - sorry Dale!

Additional clue:

It is a unit of measurement.

 

[Neo9320]

Imperial real heavy distance? (I’m clutching at straws now)

 

[xotGD]

Inch reading height device