1 What are the distinctive features of a ‘state funeral’?
Much argument about this but the common denominators appear to be a) paid for fully by the state and b) organised by the Earl Marshal
2 What links ‘Hyde Park corner’ , ‘Hope Not’ and the ‘Tay Bridge’
Code names for deaths of prominent people. These were George VI, Winston Churchill and the Queen Mother
3 Whose lying in state was the first to be held in Westminster Hall? William Gladstone PM
4 Whose effigy clothed in black velvet lay in state at Somerset House (then named Denmark House) and after a day or two was moved upright and its glass eyes bizarrely opened, seemingly representing the passing of soul from purgatory to heaven. (There is a story that the body had actually been buried weeks before the funeral owing to ineffective embalming) Oliver Cromwell
5 Whose lying-in-state at Greenwich was attended by large crowds resulting in terrible injuries with the cavalry having to restore order? Horatio Nelson
6 The first died at the battle of Bosworth, the 3rd was uncle to two of Henry VIII’s wives, and the 4th was executed for treason. Who are this catholic family of survivors and what is their relevance to current events? The Dukes of Norfolk (Howards). They have for centuries performed the role of Earl Marshal (see question 1)
7 On Monday Queen Elizabeth’s coffin will be transferred from Westminster Hall to the Abbey on a gun carriage. In which special way will the carriage be pulled? And whence comes the tradition? Apologies -it was actually the procession after the service in the abbey that was pulled by naval ‘ratings’. The tradition dates from when horses which were lined up to pull Queen Victoria’s hearse bolted. A pragmatic solution was found and has continued ever since.
8 In March 2015 Richard III was buried in Leicester Cathedral. What could be said to be rather incongruent about the type of funeral service? The service was the standard Anglican service. Would Richard III have recognised this?!
9 Which monarch demanded her entire funeral, from horses to mourning attire, be arrayed in white? Queen Victoria
10 In 1774 his tomb was opened and inside a Purbeck marble coffin his body was found nearly entire, wrapped in a waxed linen cloth and wearing royal robes of red and gold with a crimson mantle. He had a gilt crown on his head and carried a sceptre surmounted by a dove and oak leaves in enamels. Which king? (He died more than 400 years prior to the coffin being reopened) Edward I
