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"Earl" replaced the Norman French-derived "count" due to the latter's resemblance to the unflattering word "cunt". - is this just one guess, or is it certain? - Nik42(added 03:32, 30 April 2005)
I've got my doubts - Earl/jarl was used in Scotland and Anglo-saxon England - and continued after the Norman conquest. Count was never used in Scotland - nor (I think) in England - so how could it be 'replaced' by the earlier term Earl?? --Doc Glasgow11:04, 13 May 2005 (UTC)[reply]
I'm pretty dubious of this, as well. Ashley seems to have introduced this bit - can s/he provide a source? johnk07:40, 25 July 2005 (UTC)[reply]
Now provided. Note that the invading Norman aristocracy spoke Norman French, not English, so they would have originally used "count" or cognate. "Earl" was an English word. —Ashley Y00:43, 31 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]
Word "earl" doesn't exists in modern French but it exists in Norman French. E.g. Rollo of Normandy was never count or duke of normandy but "jarl des normands" (earl of northmen).62.39.32.19410:28, 22 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I have combined the Jarl article and the Earl article. The way the two cognates are treated in Wikipedia articles, there is no sense to have them as separate entries. Moreover, during the Viking Age, the two names were nothing but two variant of the same concept.--Wiglaf11:22, 18 August 2005 (UTC).[reply]
The following is a totally foundationless statement : "Arguably, their knowledge in interpreting runes also meant they were gifted in martial arts..." That does not follow in any way, unless it can be demonstrated. There is nothing inherently martial about the runes. CarlaO'Harris (talk) 01:20, 29 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]
Coronet
I note that no information on the coronet of rank borne by an earl (which alternates raised orbs and strawberry leaves around the rim) has been included. Incidentally, when I added information on coronets to the Baron and Viscount articles I was blocked for two days by "Doc Glasgow"; can they explain why?
Someone has created an article Jarl (title). Considering the fact that Jarl is frequently translated into earl on WP and elsewhere, this article seems superfluous and I suggest that its content be merged into this article.--Berig13:04, 18 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Seven (7) months have passed since I proposed the merger and I have neither seen any objections nor any expansion of the Jarl (title) article to much more than a copy and paste version of the Scandinavian section of this article. I have now merged Jarl (title) into this one, and the only thing that could be added was a better etymology section. I have also removed the unreferenced and farfetched etymological connection with alderman.--Berig (talk) 20:54, 12 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Son
I quote "The eldest son of an Earl generally takes the highest of his father's lesser titles as a courtesy title; younger sons are styled The Honourable [Forename] [Surname]". What is the first born son if his father has no lesser titles? I know it is uncommon but there is no rule to say it couldnt. Thanks for any help... --Camaeron13:49, 12 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]
