A person:

1. Shoe polish.
2. Claimed to have a photographic memory.
3. Clerk at a law office.
4. Freelance legal reporter.

Pretty straightforward :P your turn.

Harold Godwinson.

Person:

1) Normans
2) Bayeux Tapestry
3) Reign started and ended on the same year
4) Sussex
5) Arrow

Oh it's my turn and I hadn't realised!

Person:

1) Normans
2) Bayeux Tapestry
3) Reign started and ended on the same year
4) Sussex

P.S.

The trial received a tremendous amount of national publicity. It has been compared to the later trials of Bruno Hauptmann, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg and O.J. Simpson as a landmark in media coverage of legal proceedings.

“Lizzie Borden took an axe
And gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done
She gave her father forty-one.”

This anonymous rhyme was [allegedly:] used to sell newspapers even though in reality her stepmother suffered 18 or 19 blows, her father 11. Though acquitted for the crimes, Lizzie Borden was ostracized by neighbors following the trial. Her name was again brought to public attention when she was accused of shoplifting in 1897.

Marco wrote: "Lizzie Borden - inquest?"

Badda-bing, Marco! Yes, and from the inquest, not her trial. The Lizzzie Borden case remains one of the most famous unsolved crimes in this country.

Your turn. (I promise my next one won't be so transparent!)

Lizzie Borden - inquest?

Badda-bing badda-boom.

Event
1) “Did you ever have any trouble with your stepmother?”
2) “You were either in the kitchen or sitting room all the time?”
3) “Did you suggest to anybody to search upstairs?”
4) “Did you go into the drugstore for any purpose whatever?”

Ted wrote: "Humanity Dick, Richard Martin (1754-1834)"

Badda-bing! Well played sir.

Humanity Dick, Richard Martin (1754-1834)

9) Died in exile in France.

8) AKA "Humanity"

Person
1) Animal rights - pushed first animal rights law through parliament, still an influencial act.
2) Duelist - over 100
3) Lawyer
4) Cuckold - by a famous revolutionary
5) Hairtrigger - although good with a sword he excelled with pistol
6) MP - Member of Parliament
7) Allegedly called a donkey as a witness - although this is disputed by some

Manuel wrote: "Probably Member of Parliament"

Aye.
7) Allegedly called a donkey as a witness

William Adam

Probably Member of Parliament

MP - Military Police?

5) Hairtrigger
6) MP

Uh...

Righty-ho...
Person
1) Animal rights
2) Duelist
3) Lawyer
4) Cuckold

I think I once went to a performance of it that was a collaboration of the local symphony orchestra and the Civil War reenactors.

Susanna wrote: "The plans for the premiere included live cannon, but they ended up not using it, as the assassination of Alexander II rather put a squash on things..."

At least ACDC still use canon...

Explanations (where necessary):

1. Ukranian.
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Jilted by Desiree, for a baritone. (Was engaged to Desiree Artot, a Belgian soprano, who without notice married Spanish baritone Mariano Padilla y Ramos in 1869. After he dedicated a piano piece to her.)
6. Ill-starred marriage to Antonina, followed by a little rest cure in Switzerland. (He married a former student, Antonina Miliukova, in 1877, and it was a disaster. After they broke up, but while she refused to divorce him and before she started stalking him, he went to a sanitarium in Clarens, Switzerland.)
7. A premiere hissed in Vienna. (His Violin Concerto.)
8. Violin concerto once described as full of vodka. (Same concerto.)
9. Works compared by critics to Dostoyevsky. (What can I say but that period Russian music critics were kinda weird?)
10. Sudden death at 53 usually ascribed to either cholera or suicide.
11. Patronized by a woman he never met, but with whom he exchanged over a thousand letters. (Nadezhda von Meck.)
12. Her son later married his niece.
13. Described one of his best-known works as loud and probably without much artistic merit, and said that he wasn't tremendously fond of it. (1812 Overture. Description from letter to Nadezhda von Meck.)
14. A favorite of Tsar Alexander III, who gave him the Order of St. Vladimir (fourth class).
15. Conducted at the opening of Carnegie Hall. (Conducted 1812 Overture at 1891 opening.)
16. Honorary Doctor of Music from Cambridge. (In 1893, the year of his death.)
17. His operas were command performances for Alexander III, making his reputation in Russia. (Particularly Eugene Onegin.)
18. Died, pathetically, nine days after the premiere of his Sixth Symphony. Audience was stunned and silent at the first performance; the second was a memorial and had a better reception. (The Symphony Pathetique.)
19. One of his ballets is very popular this time of year. (The Nutcracker Suite keeps some ballet companies going every year.)
20. Ballets also popular with figure skaters like Oksana Baiul. (Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker Suite, and selections from the symphonies are all popular with figure skaters.)

Yes, it was Tchaikovsky! Gold star for Barbarossa!

I was going to accuse the membership of being nekulturny.

The plans for the premiere included live cannon, but they ended up not using it, as the assassination of Alexander II rather put a squash on things.

Your go, Barbarossa!

Susanna wrote: "Did who use canon as percussion?"

Tchaikovsky...think it's him. Heard he used canon during his 1812 as percussion, probably apocryphal.

Did who use canon as percussion?

Did he use canon as percussion? Or is that a myth?

And folks, I am running out of clues. This one really is not as hard as it looks! 18 and 19 in particular should be telling you something.

1. Ukranian.
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Jilted by Desiree, for a baritone.
6. Ill-starred marriage to Antonina, followed by a little rest cure in Switzerland.
7. A premiere hissed in Vienna.
8. Violin concerto once described as full of vodka.
9. Works compared by critics to Dostoyevsky.
10. Sudden death at 53 usually ascribed to either cholera or suicide.
11. Patronized by a woman he never met, but with whom he exchanged over a thousand letters.
12. Her son later married his niece.
13. Described one of his best-known works as loud and probably without much artistic merit, and said that he wasn't tremendously fond of it.
14. A favorite of Tsar Alexander III, who gave him the Order of St. Vladimir (fourth class).
15. Conducted at the opening of Carnegie Hall.
16. Honorary Doctor of Music from Cambridge.
17. His operas were command performances for Alexander III, making his reputation in Russia.
18. Died, pathetically, nine days after the premiere of his Sixth Symphony. Audience was stunned and silent at the first performance; the second was a memorial and had a better reception.
19. One of his ballets is very popular this time of year.
20. Ballets also popular with figure skaters like Oksana Baiul.

1. Ukranian.
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Jilted by Desiree, for a baritone.
6. Ill-starred marriage to Antonina, followed by a little rest cure in Switzerland.
7. A premiere hissed in Vienna.
8. Violin concerto once described as full of vodka.
9. Works compared by critics to Dostoyevsky.
10. Sudden death at 53 usually ascribed to either cholera or suicide.
11. Patronized by a woman he never met, but with whom he exchanged over a thousand letters.
12. Her son later married his niece.
13. Described one of his best-known works as loud and probably without much artistic merit, and said that he wasn't tremendously fond of it.
14. A favorite of Tsar Alexander III, who gave him the Order of St. Vladimir (fourth class).
15. Conducted at the opening of Carnegie Hall.
16. Honorary Doctor of Music from Cambridge.
17. His operas were command performances for Alexander III, making his reputation in Russia.
18. Died, pathetically, nine days after the premiere of his Sixth Symphony. Audience was stunned and silent at the first performance; the second was a memorial and had a better reception.
19. One of his ballets is very popular this time of year.

1. Ukranian.
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Jilted by Desiree, for a baritone.
6. Ill-starred marriage to Antonina, followed by a little rest cure in Switzerland.
7. A premiere hissed in Vienna.
8. Violin concerto once described as full of vodka.
9. Works compared by critics to Dostoyevsky.
10. Sudden death at 53 usually ascribed to either cholera or suicide.
11. Patronized by a woman he never met, but with whom he exchanged over a thousand letters.
12. Her son later married his niece.
13. Described one of his best-known works as loud and probably without much artistic merit, and said that he wasn't tremendously fond of it.
14. A favorite of Tsar Alexander III, who gave him the Order of St. Vladimir (fourth class).
15. Conducted at the opening of Carnegie Hall.
16. Honorary Doctor of Music from Cambridge.
17. His operas were command performances for Alexander III, making his reputation in Russia.
18. Died, pathetically, nine days after the premiere of his Sixth Symphony. Audience was stunned and silent at the first performance; the second was a memorial and had a better reception.

1. Ukranian.
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Jilted by Desiree, for a baritone.
6. Ill-starred marriage to Antonina, followed by a little rest cure in Switzerland.
7. A premiere hissed in Vienna.
8. Violin concerto once described as full of vodka.
9. Works compared by critics to Dostoyevsky.
10. Sudden death at 53 usually ascribed to either cholera or suicide.
11. Patronized by a woman he never met, but with whom he exchanged over a thousand letters.
12. Her son later married his niece.
13. Described one of his best-known works as loud and probably without much artistic merit, and said that he wasn't tremendously fond of it.
14. A favorite of Tsar Alexander III, who gave him the Order of St. Vladimir (fourth class).
15. Conducted at the opening of Carnegie Hall.
16. Honorary Doctor of Music from Cambridge.
17. His operas were command performances for Alexander III, making his reputation in Russia.

1. Ukranian.
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Jilted by Desiree, for a baritone.
6. Ill-starred marriage to Antonina, followed by a little rest cure in Switzerland.
7. A premiere hissed in Vienna.
8. Violin concerto once described as full of vodka.
9. Works compared by critics to Dostoyevsky.
10. Sudden death at 53 usually ascribed to either cholera or suicide.
11. Patronized by a woman he never met, but with whom he exchanged over a thousand letters.
12. Her son later married his niece.
13. Described one of his best-known works as loud and probably without much artistic merit, and said that he wasn't tremendously fond of it.
14. A favorite of Tsar Alexander III, who gave him the Order of St. Vladimir (fourth class).
15. Conducted at the opening of Carnegie Hall.
16. Honorary Doctor of Music from Cambridge.

1. Ukranian.
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Jilted by Desiree, for a baritone.
6. Ill-starred marriage to Antonina, followed by a little rest cure in Switzerland.
7. A premiere hissed in Vienna.
8. Violin concerto once described as full of vodka.
9. Works compared by critics to Dostoyevsky.
10. Sudden death at 53 usually ascribed to either cholera or suicide.
11. Patronized by a woman he never met, but with whom he exchanged over a thousand letters.
12. Her son later married his niece.
13. Described one of his best-known works as loud and probably without much artistic merit, and said that he wasn't tremendously fond of it.
14. A favorite of Tsar Alexander III, who gave him the Order of St. Vladimir (fourth class).
15. Conducted at the opening of Carnegie Hall.

1. Ukranian.
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Jilted by Desiree, for a baritone.
6. Ill-starred marriage to Antonina, followed by a little rest cure in Switzerland.
7. A premiere hissed in Vienna.
8. Violin concerto once described as full of vodka.
9. Works compared by critics to Dostoyevsky.
10. Sudden death at 53 usually ascribed to either cholera or suicide.
11. Patronized by a woman he never met, but with whom he exchanged over a thousand letters.
12. Her son later married his niece.
13. Described one of his best-known works as loud and probably without much artistic merit, and said that he wasn't tremendously fond of it.
14. A favorite of Tsar Alexander III, who gave him the Order of St. Vladimir (fourth class).

1. Ukranian.
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Jilted by Desiree, for a baritone.
6. Ill-starred marriage to Antonina, followed by a little rest cure in Switzerland.
7. A premiere hissed in Vienna.
8. Violin concerto once described as full of vodka.
9. Works compared by critics to Dostoyevsky.
10. Sudden death at 53 usually ascribed to either cholera or suicide.
11. Patronized by a woman he never met, but with whom he exchanged over a thousand letters.
12. Her son later married his niece.
13. Described one of his best-known works as loud and probably without much artistic merit, and said that he wasn't tremendously fond of it.

I was going to say Nijinsky until we got to the violin concerto.

1. Ukranian.
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Left at the altar by Desiree.
6. Ill-starred marriage to Antonina, followed by a little rest cure in Switzerland.
7. A premiere hissed in Vienna.
8. Violin concerto once described as full of vodka.
9. Works compared by critics to Dostoyevsky.
10. Sudden death at 53 usually ascribed to either cholera or suicide.
11. Patronized by a woman he never met, but with whom he exchanged over a thousand letters.
12. Her son later married his niece.

1. Ukranian.
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Left at the altar by Desiree.
6. Ill-starred marriage to Antonina, followed by a little rest cure in Switzerland.
7. A premiere hissed in Vienna.
8. Violin concerto once described as full of vodka.
9. Works compared by critics to Dostoyevsky.
10. Sudden death at 53 usually ascribed to either cholera or suicide.
11. Patronized by a woman he never met, but with whom he exchanged over a thousand letters.

It's a disputed matter, apparently.

Im intrigued by clue 10

you mean they couldnt tell the difference?????

A person:

1. Ukranian
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Left at the altar by Desiree.
6. Ill-starred marriage to Antonina, followed by a little rest cure in Switzerland.
7. A premiere hissed in Vienna.
8. Violin concerto once described as full of vodka.
9. Works compared by critics to Dostoyevsky.
10. Sudden death at 53 usually ascribed to either cholera or suicide.

A person:

1. Ukranian
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Left at the altar by Desiree.
6. Ill-starred marriage to Antonina, followed by a little rest cure in Switzerland.
7. A premiere hissed in Vienna.
8. Violin concerto once described as full of vodka.
9. Works compared by critics to Dostoyevsky.

A person:

1. Ukranian.
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Left at the altar by Desiree.
6. A premiere hissed in Vienna.
7. Violin Concerto once described as full of vodka.

im trying desperately not to look it up on google

A person:

1. Ukranian
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Left at the altar by Desiree.
6. A premiere hissed in Vienna.

A person:

1. Ukranian
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Left at the altar by Desiree.
6. Ill-starred marriage to Antonina, followed by a little visit to Switzerland to clear his head.

A person:

1. Ukranian
2. Trained as a civil servant.
3. First post at the Ministry of Justice.
4. Reportedly homosexual.
5. Left at the altar by Desiree.