Randomised quiz

An amalgamation of dried fruits and spices packed into a crumbly pastry forms a mince pie. The early pies may have also included meats to combine sweet and savoury foods and had many different names, such as Shrid, Minched, Mutton and Christmas pies. While they may have borrowed spices from the middle-east and may have taken influence from traditional Saturnalia practices, which nation created the mince pie?

What is the name for a group of hedgehogs?

This character is taken from the Shakespearean tale of the same name, a Scottish general and their friend Banquo meets with witches who foretell that they will one day become the ruler of Scotland and their friend's sons will one day be king too. Motivated by this prophecy and their partner's encouragement, they kill the reigning King Duncan in his sleep - the king's children flee to safety, leaving the crown available for this person.

Now in power, but afraid of the prophecy that their friend Banquo's children will one day take the crown, they send an assassin to kill both the sons and Banquo. Haunted by their actions, they seek counsel with the witches again, who tell them that the only threat to their power is Macduff, but that no one born to a woman can harm them and that they will remain undefeated until Birnam Wood moves.

King Duncan's son is moved to fight against Macbeth by Macduff, and they move an army against Scotland - on their way, they cut down Birnam Wood to use as camouflage - and thus the wood moves. In their final encounter, it is revealed that Macduff was born by caesarean birth and finally ended this person's reign of betrayal and murder.

...this is of course the retelling of a story, however, the real life-counterpart did exist, and ruled over Scotland from 1040 until 1057 - a mostly peaceful rule, excluding some harassment from English invaders, not quite as dramatic and well known as the tale above.

Who announced their retirement from the limelight due to a diagnosis of aphasia?

Round 3 - Somethings Missing...

All of the following are stills from famous movies, but in each image something has been removed. All you need to do is tell us what it is!

Which is closer to Mecca, Saudi Arabia?