Interesting Statistics...

So, I thought it was 'romantic' to have Jill as my 'front page news' for over a month, but apparently, according to her blog, she's moved on and added new posts ;)

So, hence, I must show how I can also live a balanced/non-obsessive life without her being my current blog post...so here's to trying...

Here is something I found very funny. I sent it to a lot of my friends in London which might explain the 'virutal silence' from their end ;)

Quotes from the email follows:

Hello everybody! I saw some results of the study they just conducted in Britain the other day and I must say, now I feel better knowing that we, the Americans, are not alone in our ignorance (ex: such and such percent of Americans apparently can't find the 'suchandsuchland' on a map; etc.)

I'm sure you've already heard about it, but an English friend of mine just sent me the link and so I thought I'd share it with you: http://uktv. co.uk/gold/ stepbystep/ aid/598605

Top ten historical figures that the British public thinks are myths:

1) Richard the Lionheart – 47%
2) Winston Churchill – 23%
3) Florence Nightingale – 23%
4) Bernard Montgomery – 6%
5) Boudica - 5%
6) Sir Walter Raleigh – 4%
7) Duke of Wellington - 4%
8) Cleopatra - 4%
9) Gandhi – 3%
10) Charles Dickins - 3%


Top ten fictional characters that the British public thinks are real
1) King Arthur – 65%
2) Sherlock Holmes – 58%
3) Robin Hood – 51%
4) Eleanor Rigby – 47%
5) Mona Lisa -35%
6) Dick Turpin – 34%
7) Biggles – 33%
8) The Three Musketeers – 17%
9) Lady Godiva – 12%
10) Robinson Crusoe – 5%


Of course, I guess we could understand the logic of 'if Robin Hood is fictional, then naturally the king he seems to like a lot, Richard the Lionheart, would be fake, too', right?

But, and especially after having gone to the Imperial War Museum in London - how can any Brit think Winston Churchill was a 'fairytale' legend that your mom and dad tell you when you go to sleep at night?! ;)

Anyway, just thought I'd share and as a historian, I find this VERY worrisome....