The Hundred Years’ War isn’t taught here, for the most part, and I’ve always found it so overwhelming to approach on my own. This has been so nice, to have a piece explained really well.
So I finally had time to read this and, seeing a reasonable arithmetic problem, I did the maths. 8000 tuns of wine at 1145 litres each would produce about 12.2M bottles (750ml) of wine. The current output of wine in France is about 7 Billion bottles per year. Given the farming techniques of the time plus the fact that wine wouldn't keep, I'd expect production in 1387 to be about 1/20th of today's production or 350M bottles per year. So, the 12.2M bottles was about 3.5% of the production of 1386. The loss of that much wine would have caused local prices in France to rise (and drop dramatically in England) but would not have affected consumption very much. I bet there were a bunch of drunk seafarers though and that might have been the origin of "Drunk as ten sailors". 😁
What a nice little gift on a dreary Friday. Before I started reading you...Plantagenets...2014?...I thought there was the Roman Invasion , then William the Conqueror, the failed Armada and that was about it in terms of British Invasions until the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, etc. came here of course. But you've changed all that with this being the latest example. I love it. Not quite as much as the early Stones or Kinks, but darned close. One Love from the colonies
Wow. For some reason I thought the Hundred Years War was a bit closer to the Westphalia era. Yikes. But then again I never learned anything about this war. I've got some catching up to do!
I vaguely remember one of my English professors briefly discussing this many many years ago while attending University but not as in much depth. Thank you for this. Enjoyed this read so much.
I prefer words to weapons in wars, No not diplomacy, a battle of insults. Like in the Holy Grail. Much more entertaining.
You mean like 8 Mile
I considered 8 Mile as an option but Monty Python is more my style. Also I considered your Momma jokes but only for a few seconds.....I'm ashamed...
That's all well and good but, "What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?"🤔😉
Do tell Dan, do tell.
Just hand out those elderberries!
I have only heard of the name Battle of Margate but never really learned anything. What a nice piece of reading for my morning. Thank you.
Well thank you for reading it!
What a delightful way to start my day....learning something new! Thank you!
The Hundred Years’ War isn’t taught here, for the most part, and I’ve always found it so overwhelming to approach on my own. This has been so nice, to have a piece explained really well.
Well thank you, fellow Substacker - that means a lot - this post felt kind of wholesome for some reason
I had no idea, definitely want to learn more. Thanks Dan!
A fascinating little essay about something medieval. What a great way to greet the day!
Thanks Valerie! Glad you enjoyed it.
Dear Dan,
So I finally had time to read this and, seeing a reasonable arithmetic problem, I did the maths. 8000 tuns of wine at 1145 litres each would produce about 12.2M bottles (750ml) of wine. The current output of wine in France is about 7 Billion bottles per year. Given the farming techniques of the time plus the fact that wine wouldn't keep, I'd expect production in 1387 to be about 1/20th of today's production or 350M bottles per year. So, the 12.2M bottles was about 3.5% of the production of 1386. The loss of that much wine would have caused local prices in France to rise (and drop dramatically in England) but would not have affected consumption very much. I bet there were a bunch of drunk seafarers though and that might have been the origin of "Drunk as ten sailors". 😁
What a nice little gift on a dreary Friday. Before I started reading you...Plantagenets...2014?...I thought there was the Roman Invasion , then William the Conqueror, the failed Armada and that was about it in terms of British Invasions until the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, etc. came here of course. But you've changed all that with this being the latest example. I love it. Not quite as much as the early Stones or Kinks, but darned close. One Love from the colonies
This was really interesting to read 🙂
Wow. For some reason I thought the Hundred Years War was a bit closer to the Westphalia era. Yikes. But then again I never learned anything about this war. I've got some catching up to do!
Were those highly motivated sailors paid, in contrast to the London soldiers? To be fair, I too work better when I get what I'm due.
I vaguely remember one of my English professors briefly discussing this many many years ago while attending University but not as in much depth. Thank you for this. Enjoyed this read so much.