Historical Value

[Kuruharan]

In the Dark Ages, or even during the Reniassance, we did not know we were ignorant.

I would say that in the context of this discussion ignorance is lack of knowledge of the lore, or whatever, that is available to the society in question. We probably still don't know that we are ignorant. We know more now than we did in the past (or at least we like to think we know more, it might not truly be the case) but there is so much more to know.

Which is just another way of saying "History is written by the winners." Who were generally the people with the money, education, and power.

Or the people who won the wars. First principles always apply.

But don't be too hasty to dismiss the oral histories, Kuru, whether they were tales told 'round a fire, or bardic odes. It was the only resource for people who for most of the ages did not have to time to devote to "learning their letters".

The problem with oral histories is that something like this would happen.

"Let me tell you a tale of the great deeds of my great-great grandfather. He was such a swell guy. All that slaying the dragon and saving the villagers stuff. By the way, since my great-(and I really mean great) grandfather was such a swell guy you should make me ruler of the village, or at least give me the cushy job of town bard so I can live in bliss and comfort for the rest of my life. You owe my great-great grandfather after all." Or something like that. The problem is that there are less means to check oral histories than there are for written. At least if they are written there is a better chance that somebody else wrote down the stories as well.

Unfortunately, those copies are usually the ones that get burned up when the Romans come barging into town and accidently set fire to your library.