Remarks on the Use of Numbers by Medieval Chroniclers in Battle Narratives

Pierre Courroux

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Remarks on the Use of Numbers by Medieval Chroniclers in Battle Narratives

In: The Medieval Chronicle 13

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Pierre Courroux

Pierre Courroux
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 59–80

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004428560_004

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Abstract

Medieval chroniclers pay much attention to great battles. Of course, modern historians are aware that many details they give are purely literary. However, it is hard to deal with their numbers. They are often our only estimates for such fights. In rare cases where it is possible to judge their reliability, thanks to exceptionally well-preserved archives, the chroniclers are often shown to be wrong. Occasionally chroniclers cite the same figures but in most cases their individual estimations vary even as much as tenfold. The problem becomes all the greater when the variances are significant across several manuscript versions of the same work. To which extent did the scribe feel free to change the numbers? Were the numbers considered as important features, or just peripheral details, which could be changed for literary effect? In this paper, we propose that the numbers in chronicles are mainly symbolic. They may concern order of magnitude but cannot be treated mathematically. Thoughts about the possible readings of certain examples of numbers will also be given.

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The Medieval Chronicle 13

Series: The Medieval Chronicle, Volume: 13

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004428560

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 14 Apr 2020

Subjects
- History
  - Medieval History
- Literature and Cultural Studies
  - Literary Theory

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Remarks on the Use of Numbers by Medieval Chroniclers in Battle Narratives

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The Medieval Chronicle 13

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