A Problem Of Royal Proportions











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One day, while enjoying a trip in one of his kingdom's cities, the amnesiac king of Country X forgets the identity of his sole son and heir. Three men from the empire rush to send letters to the king--all claim to be of royal blood.




First claimant:

Father; do you remember the days we spent playing chess against each other? We spent entire afternoons with only each others' company honing each others' skills.



Second claimant:

Your majesty; do you remember the speech we gave together at the city hall? You praised the younger me for having the courage to speak in public.



Third claimant:

My liege; do you recall that day on late Mother's birthday, when I broke her favorite antique vase? To teach me a lesson, you made me clean the mess myself.




After inspecting all three letters, the king visits the royal library to read, as he often does. When he returns to his chambers that night, he quickly pens a letter to one of the claimants and has the other two arrested. Which person does he decide is the prince?










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    up vote
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    down vote

    favorite
    1












    One day, while enjoying a trip in one of his kingdom's cities, the amnesiac king of Country X forgets the identity of his sole son and heir. Three men from the empire rush to send letters to the king--all claim to be of royal blood.




    First claimant:

    Father; do you remember the days we spent playing chess against each other? We spent entire afternoons with only each others' company honing each others' skills.



    Second claimant:

    Your majesty; do you remember the speech we gave together at the city hall? You praised the younger me for having the courage to speak in public.



    Third claimant:

    My liege; do you recall that day on late Mother's birthday, when I broke her favorite antique vase? To teach me a lesson, you made me clean the mess myself.




    After inspecting all three letters, the king visits the royal library to read, as he often does. When he returns to his chambers that night, he quickly pens a letter to one of the claimants and has the other two arrested. Which person does he decide is the prince?










    share|improve this question
























      up vote
      5
      down vote

      favorite
      1









      up vote
      5
      down vote

      favorite
      1






      1





      One day, while enjoying a trip in one of his kingdom's cities, the amnesiac king of Country X forgets the identity of his sole son and heir. Three men from the empire rush to send letters to the king--all claim to be of royal blood.




      First claimant:

      Father; do you remember the days we spent playing chess against each other? We spent entire afternoons with only each others' company honing each others' skills.



      Second claimant:

      Your majesty; do you remember the speech we gave together at the city hall? You praised the younger me for having the courage to speak in public.



      Third claimant:

      My liege; do you recall that day on late Mother's birthday, when I broke her favorite antique vase? To teach me a lesson, you made me clean the mess myself.




      After inspecting all three letters, the king visits the royal library to read, as he often does. When he returns to his chambers that night, he quickly pens a letter to one of the claimants and has the other two arrested. Which person does he decide is the prince?










      share|improve this question













      One day, while enjoying a trip in one of his kingdom's cities, the amnesiac king of Country X forgets the identity of his sole son and heir. Three men from the empire rush to send letters to the king--all claim to be of royal blood.




      First claimant:

      Father; do you remember the days we spent playing chess against each other? We spent entire afternoons with only each others' company honing each others' skills.



      Second claimant:

      Your majesty; do you remember the speech we gave together at the city hall? You praised the younger me for having the courage to speak in public.



      Third claimant:

      My liege; do you recall that day on late Mother's birthday, when I broke her favorite antique vase? To teach me a lesson, you made me clean the mess myself.




      After inspecting all three letters, the king visits the royal library to read, as he often does. When he returns to his chambers that night, he quickly pens a letter to one of the claimants and has the other two arrested. Which person does he decide is the prince?







      logical-deduction story






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      asked Nov 17 at 8:35









      1848

      1,78416




      1,78416






















          5 Answers
          5






          active

          oldest

          votes

















          up vote
          8
          down vote



          accepted










          I believe that it is...




          the second claimant.




          Why?




          You say that the king went to the royal library, where he found out who the correct claimant was. The first and third claimants both refer to personal incidents, which probably weren't published in any book. However, the speech that the king and his son gave was probably published in some book that the royal librarian has stocked, so after reading that book and seeing the speech, he remembers that he and his son gave that exact speech printed there.







          share|improve this answer

















          • 2




            Anyone who listened to the speech could have known that.
            – Philipp
            Nov 17 at 16:37










          • Yeah @1848 how does this prove that this is his son?
            – JGibbers
            Nov 18 at 7:08










          • Thanks for the feedback! I'm sorry if the puzzle felt overtly vague :( (rot 13) Zl vqrn jnf gung bayl gur frpbaq eryngvba jvgu gur xvat vf irevsvnoyr. Cerfhznoyl gur xvat nyfb pebff-ersreraprq gur fraqre'f anzr jvgu gur arjfcncre ercbegf. V gubhtug nobhg vapyhqvat n yvar fnlvat gung jr pna nffhzr gung gur anzrf ba gur yrggref ner nhguragvp, ohg V sryg gung zvtug tvir gbb zhpu bs n uvag njnl.
            – 1848
            Nov 19 at 1:34


















          up vote
          3
          down vote













          I feel like this riddle may be a tad too vague but I'm going with




          The first claimant.




          Why:




          Because he went to the library and saw he had dozens and dozens of chess books in his private collection. Something only those close to him would know. The speech is a public incident that many people knew about so any of them could claim it for themselves







          share|improve this answer




























            up vote
            2
            down vote













            I think he decides that the




            third




            claimant is telling the truth. My reasoning:




            The king has amnesia, but the first and second claimants refer to scenarios where the king must have used his memory: Improving at chess and rehearsing a public speech.







            share|improve this answer




























              up vote
              1
              down vote













              I feel like it is




              The second claimant




              Because




              He uses "Your Majesty" and refers to himself as "the younger me", both with the air of formality that one might expect from royalty.




              Also




              The Third claimant uses "My Liege" which is a feudal relationship between lord and vassal. He also refers to "Mother" with no royal title




              And




              The First claimant uses "Father", which is rather informal for a royal to use in a letter.







              share|improve this answer




























                up vote
                1
                down vote













                I think the heir is the




                third claimant. The king is amnesiac so he wouldn't have gotten better at chess through practice.
                He wouldn't remember speeches either for the same reason. But the third claimant claims he broke a vase. That vase could've been placed in the library where the king spends large amounts of time. The king would've have remembered the vase, and then it would be easy to confirm with any of his servants whether the vase-breaking incident had happened or not.







                share|improve this answer





















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                  5 Answers
                  5






                  active

                  oldest

                  votes








                  5 Answers
                  5






                  active

                  oldest

                  votes









                  active

                  oldest

                  votes






                  active

                  oldest

                  votes








                  up vote
                  8
                  down vote



                  accepted










                  I believe that it is...




                  the second claimant.




                  Why?




                  You say that the king went to the royal library, where he found out who the correct claimant was. The first and third claimants both refer to personal incidents, which probably weren't published in any book. However, the speech that the king and his son gave was probably published in some book that the royal librarian has stocked, so after reading that book and seeing the speech, he remembers that he and his son gave that exact speech printed there.







                  share|improve this answer

















                  • 2




                    Anyone who listened to the speech could have known that.
                    – Philipp
                    Nov 17 at 16:37










                  • Yeah @1848 how does this prove that this is his son?
                    – JGibbers
                    Nov 18 at 7:08










                  • Thanks for the feedback! I'm sorry if the puzzle felt overtly vague :( (rot 13) Zl vqrn jnf gung bayl gur frpbaq eryngvba jvgu gur xvat vf irevsvnoyr. Cerfhznoyl gur xvat nyfb pebff-ersreraprq gur fraqre'f anzr jvgu gur arjfcncre ercbegf. V gubhtug nobhg vapyhqvat n yvar fnlvat gung jr pna nffhzr gung gur anzrf ba gur yrggref ner nhguragvp, ohg V sryg gung zvtug tvir gbb zhpu bs n uvag njnl.
                    – 1848
                    Nov 19 at 1:34















                  up vote
                  8
                  down vote



                  accepted










                  I believe that it is...




                  the second claimant.




                  Why?




                  You say that the king went to the royal library, where he found out who the correct claimant was. The first and third claimants both refer to personal incidents, which probably weren't published in any book. However, the speech that the king and his son gave was probably published in some book that the royal librarian has stocked, so after reading that book and seeing the speech, he remembers that he and his son gave that exact speech printed there.







                  share|improve this answer

















                  • 2




                    Anyone who listened to the speech could have known that.
                    – Philipp
                    Nov 17 at 16:37










                  • Yeah @1848 how does this prove that this is his son?
                    – JGibbers
                    Nov 18 at 7:08










                  • Thanks for the feedback! I'm sorry if the puzzle felt overtly vague :( (rot 13) Zl vqrn jnf gung bayl gur frpbaq eryngvba jvgu gur xvat vf irevsvnoyr. Cerfhznoyl gur xvat nyfb pebff-ersreraprq gur fraqre'f anzr jvgu gur arjfcncre ercbegf. V gubhtug nobhg vapyhqvat n yvar fnlvat gung jr pna nffhzr gung gur anzrf ba gur yrggref ner nhguragvp, ohg V sryg gung zvtug tvir gbb zhpu bs n uvag njnl.
                    – 1848
                    Nov 19 at 1:34













                  up vote
                  8
                  down vote



                  accepted







                  up vote
                  8
                  down vote



                  accepted






                  I believe that it is...




                  the second claimant.




                  Why?




                  You say that the king went to the royal library, where he found out who the correct claimant was. The first and third claimants both refer to personal incidents, which probably weren't published in any book. However, the speech that the king and his son gave was probably published in some book that the royal librarian has stocked, so after reading that book and seeing the speech, he remembers that he and his son gave that exact speech printed there.







                  share|improve this answer












                  I believe that it is...




                  the second claimant.




                  Why?




                  You say that the king went to the royal library, where he found out who the correct claimant was. The first and third claimants both refer to personal incidents, which probably weren't published in any book. However, the speech that the king and his son gave was probably published in some book that the royal librarian has stocked, so after reading that book and seeing the speech, he remembers that he and his son gave that exact speech printed there.








                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Nov 17 at 8:45









                  gparyani

                  46212




                  46212








                  • 2




                    Anyone who listened to the speech could have known that.
                    – Philipp
                    Nov 17 at 16:37










                  • Yeah @1848 how does this prove that this is his son?
                    – JGibbers
                    Nov 18 at 7:08










                  • Thanks for the feedback! I'm sorry if the puzzle felt overtly vague :( (rot 13) Zl vqrn jnf gung bayl gur frpbaq eryngvba jvgu gur xvat vf irevsvnoyr. Cerfhznoyl gur xvat nyfb pebff-ersreraprq gur fraqre'f anzr jvgu gur arjfcncre ercbegf. V gubhtug nobhg vapyhqvat n yvar fnlvat gung jr pna nffhzr gung gur anzrf ba gur yrggref ner nhguragvp, ohg V sryg gung zvtug tvir gbb zhpu bs n uvag njnl.
                    – 1848
                    Nov 19 at 1:34














                  • 2




                    Anyone who listened to the speech could have known that.
                    – Philipp
                    Nov 17 at 16:37










                  • Yeah @1848 how does this prove that this is his son?
                    – JGibbers
                    Nov 18 at 7:08










                  • Thanks for the feedback! I'm sorry if the puzzle felt overtly vague :( (rot 13) Zl vqrn jnf gung bayl gur frpbaq eryngvba jvgu gur xvat vf irevsvnoyr. Cerfhznoyl gur xvat nyfb pebff-ersreraprq gur fraqre'f anzr jvgu gur arjfcncre ercbegf. V gubhtug nobhg vapyhqvat n yvar fnlvat gung jr pna nffhzr gung gur anzrf ba gur yrggref ner nhguragvp, ohg V sryg gung zvtug tvir gbb zhpu bs n uvag njnl.
                    – 1848
                    Nov 19 at 1:34








                  2




                  2




                  Anyone who listened to the speech could have known that.
                  – Philipp
                  Nov 17 at 16:37




                  Anyone who listened to the speech could have known that.
                  – Philipp
                  Nov 17 at 16:37












                  Yeah @1848 how does this prove that this is his son?
                  – JGibbers
                  Nov 18 at 7:08




                  Yeah @1848 how does this prove that this is his son?
                  – JGibbers
                  Nov 18 at 7:08












                  Thanks for the feedback! I'm sorry if the puzzle felt overtly vague :( (rot 13) Zl vqrn jnf gung bayl gur frpbaq eryngvba jvgu gur xvat vf irevsvnoyr. Cerfhznoyl gur xvat nyfb pebff-ersreraprq gur fraqre'f anzr jvgu gur arjfcncre ercbegf. V gubhtug nobhg vapyhqvat n yvar fnlvat gung jr pna nffhzr gung gur anzrf ba gur yrggref ner nhguragvp, ohg V sryg gung zvtug tvir gbb zhpu bs n uvag njnl.
                  – 1848
                  Nov 19 at 1:34




                  Thanks for the feedback! I'm sorry if the puzzle felt overtly vague :( (rot 13) Zl vqrn jnf gung bayl gur frpbaq eryngvba jvgu gur xvat vf irevsvnoyr. Cerfhznoyl gur xvat nyfb pebff-ersreraprq gur fraqre'f anzr jvgu gur arjfcncre ercbegf. V gubhtug nobhg vapyhqvat n yvar fnlvat gung jr pna nffhzr gung gur anzrf ba gur yrggref ner nhguragvp, ohg V sryg gung zvtug tvir gbb zhpu bs n uvag njnl.
                  – 1848
                  Nov 19 at 1:34










                  up vote
                  3
                  down vote













                  I feel like this riddle may be a tad too vague but I'm going with




                  The first claimant.




                  Why:




                  Because he went to the library and saw he had dozens and dozens of chess books in his private collection. Something only those close to him would know. The speech is a public incident that many people knew about so any of them could claim it for themselves







                  share|improve this answer

























                    up vote
                    3
                    down vote













                    I feel like this riddle may be a tad too vague but I'm going with




                    The first claimant.




                    Why:




                    Because he went to the library and saw he had dozens and dozens of chess books in his private collection. Something only those close to him would know. The speech is a public incident that many people knew about so any of them could claim it for themselves







                    share|improve this answer























                      up vote
                      3
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      3
                      down vote









                      I feel like this riddle may be a tad too vague but I'm going with




                      The first claimant.




                      Why:




                      Because he went to the library and saw he had dozens and dozens of chess books in his private collection. Something only those close to him would know. The speech is a public incident that many people knew about so any of them could claim it for themselves







                      share|improve this answer












                      I feel like this riddle may be a tad too vague but I'm going with




                      The first claimant.




                      Why:




                      Because he went to the library and saw he had dozens and dozens of chess books in his private collection. Something only those close to him would know. The speech is a public incident that many people knew about so any of them could claim it for themselves








                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered Nov 17 at 11:25









                      JGibbers

                      1,9001523




                      1,9001523






















                          up vote
                          2
                          down vote













                          I think he decides that the




                          third




                          claimant is telling the truth. My reasoning:




                          The king has amnesia, but the first and second claimants refer to scenarios where the king must have used his memory: Improving at chess and rehearsing a public speech.







                          share|improve this answer

























                            up vote
                            2
                            down vote













                            I think he decides that the




                            third




                            claimant is telling the truth. My reasoning:




                            The king has amnesia, but the first and second claimants refer to scenarios where the king must have used his memory: Improving at chess and rehearsing a public speech.







                            share|improve this answer























                              up vote
                              2
                              down vote










                              up vote
                              2
                              down vote









                              I think he decides that the




                              third




                              claimant is telling the truth. My reasoning:




                              The king has amnesia, but the first and second claimants refer to scenarios where the king must have used his memory: Improving at chess and rehearsing a public speech.







                              share|improve this answer












                              I think he decides that the




                              third




                              claimant is telling the truth. My reasoning:




                              The king has amnesia, but the first and second claimants refer to scenarios where the king must have used his memory: Improving at chess and rehearsing a public speech.








                              share|improve this answer












                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer










                              answered Nov 17 at 14:18









                              Elias Riedel Gårding

                              1213




                              1213






















                                  up vote
                                  1
                                  down vote













                                  I feel like it is




                                  The second claimant




                                  Because




                                  He uses "Your Majesty" and refers to himself as "the younger me", both with the air of formality that one might expect from royalty.




                                  Also




                                  The Third claimant uses "My Liege" which is a feudal relationship between lord and vassal. He also refers to "Mother" with no royal title




                                  And




                                  The First claimant uses "Father", which is rather informal for a royal to use in a letter.







                                  share|improve this answer

























                                    up vote
                                    1
                                    down vote













                                    I feel like it is




                                    The second claimant




                                    Because




                                    He uses "Your Majesty" and refers to himself as "the younger me", both with the air of formality that one might expect from royalty.




                                    Also




                                    The Third claimant uses "My Liege" which is a feudal relationship between lord and vassal. He also refers to "Mother" with no royal title




                                    And




                                    The First claimant uses "Father", which is rather informal for a royal to use in a letter.







                                    share|improve this answer























                                      up vote
                                      1
                                      down vote










                                      up vote
                                      1
                                      down vote









                                      I feel like it is




                                      The second claimant




                                      Because




                                      He uses "Your Majesty" and refers to himself as "the younger me", both with the air of formality that one might expect from royalty.




                                      Also




                                      The Third claimant uses "My Liege" which is a feudal relationship between lord and vassal. He also refers to "Mother" with no royal title




                                      And




                                      The First claimant uses "Father", which is rather informal for a royal to use in a letter.







                                      share|improve this answer












                                      I feel like it is




                                      The second claimant




                                      Because




                                      He uses "Your Majesty" and refers to himself as "the younger me", both with the air of formality that one might expect from royalty.




                                      Also




                                      The Third claimant uses "My Liege" which is a feudal relationship between lord and vassal. He also refers to "Mother" with no royal title




                                      And




                                      The First claimant uses "Father", which is rather informal for a royal to use in a letter.








                                      share|improve this answer












                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer










                                      answered Nov 17 at 13:16









                                      SteveV

                                      4,7301625




                                      4,7301625






















                                          up vote
                                          1
                                          down vote













                                          I think the heir is the




                                          third claimant. The king is amnesiac so he wouldn't have gotten better at chess through practice.
                                          He wouldn't remember speeches either for the same reason. But the third claimant claims he broke a vase. That vase could've been placed in the library where the king spends large amounts of time. The king would've have remembered the vase, and then it would be easy to confirm with any of his servants whether the vase-breaking incident had happened or not.







                                          share|improve this answer

























                                            up vote
                                            1
                                            down vote













                                            I think the heir is the




                                            third claimant. The king is amnesiac so he wouldn't have gotten better at chess through practice.
                                            He wouldn't remember speeches either for the same reason. But the third claimant claims he broke a vase. That vase could've been placed in the library where the king spends large amounts of time. The king would've have remembered the vase, and then it would be easy to confirm with any of his servants whether the vase-breaking incident had happened or not.







                                            share|improve this answer























                                              up vote
                                              1
                                              down vote










                                              up vote
                                              1
                                              down vote









                                              I think the heir is the




                                              third claimant. The king is amnesiac so he wouldn't have gotten better at chess through practice.
                                              He wouldn't remember speeches either for the same reason. But the third claimant claims he broke a vase. That vase could've been placed in the library where the king spends large amounts of time. The king would've have remembered the vase, and then it would be easy to confirm with any of his servants whether the vase-breaking incident had happened or not.







                                              share|improve this answer












                                              I think the heir is the




                                              third claimant. The king is amnesiac so he wouldn't have gotten better at chess through practice.
                                              He wouldn't remember speeches either for the same reason. But the third claimant claims he broke a vase. That vase could've been placed in the library where the king spends large amounts of time. The king would've have remembered the vase, and then it would be easy to confirm with any of his servants whether the vase-breaking incident had happened or not.








                                              share|improve this answer












                                              share|improve this answer



                                              share|improve this answer










                                              answered Nov 17 at 17:35









                                              Caffeineguy152

                                              112




                                              112






























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