zaezae

@AGiantPie You're right but in periods where that data was recorded its possible to use records instead, and then convert them. Trouble is many people use the unconverted data. For example the myth that Napolean was short was partially due to people using French inches; he was 5 foot 7 in modern terms which was tall for the time (5 foot 5 was the average).

The myth of Napolean was actually created by his foes as propaganda. Also, a good deal of these measurements come from bones.

It was also likely because he was shorter than his personal bodyguards who were people with exceptional physical traits and very good diets for the time.