Bonus podcast: Norman Numbers
Summary
Tim Harford presents six statistical insights about the Norman Conquest to celebrate the Bayeux Tapestry’s return. He debunks exaggerated battle figures, quantifies the devastation of the Harrying of the North, and details the near-total replacement of the Anglo-Saxon elite. The episode also covers the surprising size of Norman warhorses, the linguistic shift toward French vocabulary, and the rise of hereditary surnames.
Topics discussed
Introduction: The Bayeux Tapestry and Norman Invasion stats
Gobbit 1: Estimating troop numbers at the Battle of Hastings
Gobbit 2: The devastation of the Harrying of the North
Gobbit 3: The scale of the Norman hostile takeover
Gobbit 4: The surprising size of Norman warhorses
Gobbit 5: The linguistic takeover of English vocabulary
Gobbit 6: The rise of hereditary surnames and conclusion
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