Weights and measurements were not always standard from town to town. Some merchants had to customize various portions based on what the local buyers expected. The local officials often received complaints from buyers who thought a merchant had cheated them. For this reason, it was not uncommon for a local official or the guilds to keep standard weights and measurements made of stone and metal under lock and key. Copies were then made and handed out to merchants for use.
Common Measurements
Acre = one furlong by 4 rods
Barrel = 30-32 gallons Hand = 4 inches
Bushel = 8 gallons Hogshead = 2 barrels
Cubit = 18 inches League = 3 miles (hr walk)
Drams = 60 grains Noggin = 1/4 pint
Fathom = 5 1/2 yards Pace = 2 1/2 feet
Firkin = 1/4 barrel Palm = 3 inches
Fortnight = 2 weeks Peck = 2 gallons
Furlong = 220 yards Pole = 6 feet
Gill = 1/4 pint Sennight = 1 week
Yard = 3 feet Rod = 20 "natural feet"
Score = 20 years Decade = 10 years
Ell = Elbow length, about 45 inches & used for measuring clothing
Weight Measurements
Clove = 7-10 pounds Kip = 1/2 ton
Fardel = 4 cloves Pennyweight = 24 grains
Firkin = 56 pounds Pound = 317 1/3 grams
Stone = 14 pounds Ton = 2,240 pounds
Pound = 16 ounces Ounce - 16 drams
Scruple = 20 grains
Hundredweight = 112 pounds
Grain = .00001736 of a pound
Sources
The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the Middle Ages by Sherrilyn Kenyon
2 comments:
Oh boy ... I can hardly wait to tell someone I weigh roughly 2 1/4 firkins. That'll get some stares, for sure!!!
Kathleen, You're so funny! I bet they would look at you funny.
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