Germany as a state did not exist until 1871 when the German Empire was founded (Bavaria also became part of it, by the way). Among the hundreds of independent states that were in the area that is now Germany before 1803, about half were predominantly Catholic, the other half were either predominantly Lutheran or Calvinist, a few had two or even three confessions with equal rights and percentage of population. Sorry I am too lazy to type all the names...

Thanks Pvoyageuse I enjoyed that.

#2 is not Rouen Cathedral, 3 metres shorter than this other French cathedral. Pigeon poop on the top don't add up either.

# 8 was thinking of Royal Ablert Hall. Like how many holes does it take to fill the Royal Albert Hall?

annhigh takes the cake for the most correct overall - or at least the first to give the most correct even though she missed Frogmore - incroyable!

flanner (or as I suspect flanner-the-pooch) gets the accolades for most detail on a question that was frought with problems being phrased - or two questions - the monarchies and the Catholic question - but the judges have decided to take the world's (or at least Fodor's) greatest authority without quibble

The royal thing is surprising in that the few countries that have retained the monarchy for the most part are some of the most advanced countries in Europe - socially and economically - like the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Spain not to mention Luxembourg.

The tradition in Britain, for example, in which the senior Cardinal is expected to give the official reaction on the state-controlled media to about 20% of major tragedies or celebrations is completely alien to the French philosophy of government.>

Interesting but true it seems - like now no one in France or very very few pay any attention to the Catholic Church's take on anything but the top Iman in the country of course gave his reaction. Most French don't go to church except to be married or buried and often ridicule the Pope and Church officials IME. Which to me is better than the lip service the COEngland boss feels compelled to do - of course the CHofEngland is an official State religion it seems. Catholics for example I believe cannot become King or Queen because that person is the titular head of the Church of England?

PalenQ : 2. you said "from" 1876 - not "before".

2- What was the world's tallest building from 1876-89 and is still the tallest church building in France? (At 151.0 metres).

and the answer in Beauvais - 3 meteres higher than Rouen - not sure what you before before - from 1876 thru 1889 Wiki says Beavais Cathedral was the world's tallest structure and after 1889 still France's tallest church though no longer the world's tallest building.

Catholics for example I believe cannot become King or Queen because that person is the titular head of the Church of England?>>

The Act of Settlement of 1701 enacted a law that no roman Catholic could become Monarch, and that on the death of Queen Anne [who had 15 children who all pre-deceased her] the crown would pass to Sophie, Electress of Hannover, who was the first protestant in line to the throne.

Contrary to expectations, she died before Anne, so the electorship and then the throne passed to her son George, who became George I, and founded the House of Hannover which had profound effect on Britain - from GF Handel to the loss of the US colonies, to the empire of Victoria and the outbreak of WWI - all were the results, one way or another, of Queen Anne being unable to produce a live heir.

not many people know that.

Congrats annhig.

You get free posting for 2 years ,but you have to pay shipping charges.
Hey!! I had to pay it.

"Wiki says Beavais Cathedral was the world's tallest structure and after 1889 still France's tallest church though no longer the world's tallest building."

...........And the same Wikipedia also says it is Rouen ! : La cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen est la plus haute de France et était le plus haut bâtiment du monde au moment de son achèvement en 1876, et le restera jusqu'en 1880, détrônée par la cathédrale de Cologne (157 mètres).

Pvoyageuse I like the French version better.

moi aussi!