I never heard about a break down of which words came from Iberia, and which the crusaders brought back-- but I think I read somewhere that algebra came from Italy-- (Milan? the first university?) where the use of arabic numbers and double entry bookkeeping was first taught mid to late 1300's. (in Accounting 101!)

Chaucer, was sent to study in Italy for year (by King Edward ??) He was the head of the Custom House (London) where in off hours he scribbled off some poems. (but i don't enough of his biography to be sure he was off to learn double entry bookkeepping.)



my other obsession