Seder night

I understand there is a minhog of most Jews where I live, for each individual at the seder, to eat an egg before the meal begins both Seder nights. Is that also brought down in Minhog Ashkenaz? When did this minhog begin?

While we are on the subject, do Bnei Ashkenaz eat a triangular piece of matzoh [broken into that shape] to commemorate the hanging of Homon on the 2nd night of Pesach?

Rallis