Hanging in Bath's Guildhall are portraits of many famous people. Some are high-profile figures of national significance, while others are known mainly for their contribution to Bath.


Test your knowledge with quiz questions based on ten of our favourite portraits in the Guildhall.


The answers can be found at the end, alongside some scene-setting Bath views.

13 artworks
  • Henry VII

    What was Henry VII’s eldest child called?


    a) Katharine
    b) Arthur
    c) Henry
    d) Margaret

    Henry VII (1457–1509)
    British School
    Oil on panel
    H 57.5 x W 45 cm
    Victoria Art Gallery
    Henry VII (1457–1509)
    Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery

  • Richard 'Beau' Nash

    What attracted Nash to Bath?


    a) The Roman remains
    b) Gambling
    c) Spa treatment for gout
    d) The excellent food

    Richard Beau Nash (1674–1761)
    William Hoare (1707–1792) (attributed to)
    Oil on canvas
    H 88.5 x W 67 cm
    Victoria Art Gallery
    Richard Beau Nash (1674–1761)
    Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery

  • General George Wade

    What DIDN’T Wade do?


    a) Serve as Master of Ceremonies in Bath’s Assembly Rooms
    b) Defeat Jacobite rebellions
    c) Serve as MP for Bath
    d) Mastermind road building schemes in Scotland

    General George Wade (1673–1748) c.1730
    Johan van Diest (1695–1757)
    Oil on canvas
    H 254 x W 152 cm
    Victoria Art Gallery
    General George Wade (1673–1748)
    Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery

  • William Pulteney

    What is Pulteney famous for?


    a) Archaeological discoveries in Bath
    b) Building Bath’s Pulteney Bridge
    c) Being Prime Minister for only 2 days
    d) Building Bath’s Pulteney Street

    William Pulteney (1684–1764), Earl of Bath
    Charles Jervas (c.1675–1739)
    Oil on canvas
    H 75 x W 62 cm
    Victoria Art Gallery
    William Pulteney (1684–1764), Earl of Bath
    Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery

  • Frederick, Prince of Wales

    Frederick died young and never succeeded to the throne.
    Who became monarch instead?


    a) George III
    b) Queen Victoria
    c) George II
    d) William IV

    Frederick Louis (1707–1751), Prince of Wales c.1738
    Jeremiah Davison (c.1695–1745)
    Oil on canvas
    H 244 x W 152 cm
    Victoria Art Gallery
    Frederick Louis (1707–1751), Prince of Wales
    Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery

  • William Pitt

    How long was Pitt Prime Minister for?


    a) 2 years
    b) 7 years
    c) 13 years
    d) 18 years

    William Pitt (1708–1778), Earl of Chatham
    William Hoare (1707–1792)
    Oil on canvas
    H 254 x W 178 cm
    Victoria Art Gallery
    William Pitt (1708–1778), Earl of Chatham
    Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery

  • Charles Pratt

    Which area of London is named after Charles Pratt?


    a) Chelsea
    b) Lambeth
    c) Paddington
    d) Camden Town

    Sir Charles Pratt (1714–1794) 1765
    William Hoare (1707–1792)
    Oil on canvas
    H 254 x W 178 cm
    Victoria Art Gallery
    Sir Charles Pratt (1714–1794)
    Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery

  • Queen Charlotte

    How many children did Queen Charlotte have?


    a) 4
    b) 9
    c) 15
    d) 18

    Queen Charlotte Sophia (1744–1818) c.1779
    Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792) (studio of)
    Oil on canvas
    H 254 x W 152 cm
    Victoria Art Gallery
    Queen Charlotte Sophia (1744–1818)
    Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery

  • George III

    Which of the following was NOT one of George III’s children?


    a) William IV
    b) Charlotte, Queen of Wurtemberg
    c) Queen Victoria
    d) George IV

    George III (1738–1820) c.1779
    Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792) (studio of)
    Oil on canvas
    H 254 x W 152 cm
    Victoria Art Gallery
    George III (1738–1820)
    Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery

  • Major Davis

    Which of the following was Major Davis NOT known for?


    a) Excavating the Roman Baths
    b) Designing Bath’s Empire Hotel
    c) Breeding tortoises
    d) Having badly behaved dogs

    Major Charles Edward Davis (1827–1902), with His Dog
    Leonard Frank Skeats (1874–1943)
    Oil on canvas
    H 91.5 x W 71 cm
    Victoria Art Gallery
    Major Charles Edward Davis (1827–1902), with His Dog
    Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery

  • Answers

    Henry VII
    B: Arthur.

    Arthur Prince of Wales died age of 15. His younger brother Henry became heir to the throne


    Beau Nash
    B: Gambling
    Although he served as Bath’s Master of Ceremonies for several decades, gambling was Nash’s real passion. It was rife in 18th century Bath.


    General Wade
    A: Serve as Master of Ceremonies
    However in 1769 his great-nephew William Wade took on this role.


    William Pulteney, Earl of Bath
    C: Prime Minister for 2 days.

    Another Pulteney was responsible for the famous Bath building projects.

    Royal Crescent, Bath
    Joseph Sheldon (active 1784–1821)
    Oil on wood
    H 32.5 x W 51.6 cm
    Victoria Art Gallery
    Royal Crescent, Bath
    Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery

  • Answers

    Frederick, Prince of Wales
    A: George III
    George was Frederick’s eldest son. William IV was one of his grandchildren, Queen Victoria was his great granddaughter.


    William Pitt, Earl of Chatham
    A: 2 years.
    Pitt spent years as leader of the opposition but was only briefly Prime Minister. His son, Pitt the Younger, was also Prime Minister – for nearly 2 decades.


    Charles Pratt
    D: Camden Town
    One of Pratt’s titles was Earl Camden. He owned land in Kentish Town, north of London. In the 1790s he granted leases for development there. It became known as Camden Town

    Pulteney Bridge, Weirs and Old Saint Michael's Church, Bath
    Joseph Sheldon (active 1784–1821)
    Oil on wood
    H 23 x W 44 cm
    Victoria Art Gallery
    Pulteney Bridge, Weirs and Old Saint Michael's Church, Bath
    Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery

  • Answers

    Queen Charlotte
    C: 15
    Queen Charlotte had her first baby in 1762. Over the next 21 years she had 14 more. All except 2 lived to adulthood.


    George III
    C: Queen Victoria.
    Victoria was George III’s granddaughter.


    Major Charles Davis
    C: He wasn’t a tortoise breeder
    Charles Davis had a varied and successful career as Bath’s city architect. He designed the Empire Hotel and many other well-known buildings.

    South Parade, Bath
    Joseph Sheldon (active 1784–1821)
    Oil on wood
    H 23.5 x W 45 cm
    Victoria Art Gallery
    South Parade, Bath
    Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery