English Weights and Measures
The following descriptions have been taken from various sources, most of which are now not on general sale but either in collections or at public libraries. Some are still in use whilst some are not
Manors at Domesday (1086) were rated according to their Hidage, and as the extent of a hide has been a matter of dispute, it may be instructive to quote the standard measures of Glastonbury Abbey, as registered in the large MS. Cartulary at Longleat (p.406), alluded to by Canon Jackson in his "Liber Henrici de Soliaco" (1189):
A Farthing Land = Abt. 12 acres
A Furlong or Ferdel = 10 Acres
A Virgate (4 furlongs) = 40 Acres
A Half-yard Land = 20 Acres
A Hide (4 virgates) = 160 Acres
A Knight's Fee (4 Hides) = 640 acres
SOURCE: -"Dunmonia and the River Parrett" by Rev. William H.P. Greswell M.A., F.R.G.S. published 1922 p. 178
AREA - (Square Measure) - [See \also LENGTH below]
144 Square Inches = 1 Square Foot
12 Square Feet = 1 Square Yard
30 1/4 Square Yards = 1 Square Pole
40 Square = 1 Rood
4 Roods = 1 Acre (4840 Square Yards)
640 Acres = 1 Square Mile
SOURCE: - "Workshop Calculations Tables and Formula" by F.J. Camm F.R.S.A published 1941 5th Edition
Measure of Capacity - (Liquid or Dry Measure)
4 Gills = 1 pint
2 pints = 1 Quart
2 Quarts = 1 Pottle
2 Pottles = 1 Gallon
4 Quarts = 1 Gallon
2 Gallons = 1 Peck
4 Pecks = 1 Bushel
3 Bushels = 1 Bag
4 Bushels = 1 Coombe
8 Bushels = 1 Quarter
12 Bags = 1 Chauldron
5 Quarters = 1 Load or Wey
2 Loads or Wey = 1 Last
SOURCE: - "Workshop Calculations Tables and Formulae" by F.J. Camm F.R.S.A published 1941 5th Edition
Wine Measure
4 Gills = 1 Pint
2 Pints = 1 Quart
4 Quarts = 1 Gallon
10 Gallons = 1 Anker
18 Gallons = 1 Runlet or Rundlet
311/2 Gallons = 1 Barrel
42 Barrels = 1 Tierce
63 Gallons = 1 Hogshead
2 Tierces = 1 Puncheon
1 1/2 Puncheons = 1 Pipe or Butt
2 Pipes = 1 Tun
SOURCE: - "Workshop Calculations Tables and Formulae" by F.J. Camm F.R.S.A published 1941 5th Edition
Ale and Beer Measure
4 Gills = 1 Pint
2 Pints = 1 Quart
4 Quarts = 1 Gallon
9 Gallons = 1 Firkin
2 Firkins = 1 Kilderkin
2 Kilderkins = 1 Barrel
1 1/2 Barrels = 1 Hogshead
1 1/3 Hogheads = 1 Puncheon
1 1/2 Puncheons or 2 Hogs heads = 1 Butt or Pipe
2 Pipes = 1 Tun
SOURCE: - "Workshop Calculations Tables and Formulae" by F.J. Camm F.R.S.A published 1941 5th Edition
Length
LUG: An olde unit of length same as a pole or perch, varying according to local custom; usually of 16 1/2 feet, sometimes of 15, 18, 20, or 21 feet - in squared measure a square pole or perch.
Source: - Oxford English Dictionary
Various Measures Used on Farms [Courtesy of OLD-ENGLISH-l@rootsweb.com subscribers - 20-Feb-2006]
Thatching Materials {How Heavy, How Much and How Long" by Colin Chapman
1 Thrave = 2 Kivers [By the 19th century] or Stook
1 Kiver = 12 Sheaves [Also known as Boltings; Bundles; Trusses]
Sheaves were stooked to form a triangular shape, five sheaves to each side with the ears of corn facing upwards the sheave butt standing on the ground. Each sheave leant against the opposite one and then one sheave at each end of the stook to hold the shape and protect it from being blown over but at the same time allowing the wind and sun to dry the sheaves.
In Scotland in 1523, 1 Thrave was equal to 4 Sheaves.
Straw Weights
1 Bundle of Straw = 24 Pounds
1 Bolting of Straw = 28 Pounds
1 Truss of Straw = 36 Pounds
Hay Weights
1 Truss of Old Hay = 56 Pounds [Regarded as 'Old' after 29 September]
1 Truss of New Hay = 60 Pounds
MEDICINES
Liquid Measure
60 minims (m) = 1 fluid drachm (ʒ)
8 drachms = 1 fluid ounce
20 ounces = 1 pint (O)
The approximate domestic equivalents to the above measurements are:-
1 minim = 1 drop
1 drachm = 1 teaspoonful
1 ounce = 2 tablespoonfuls
Please note that as the size of spoons vary considerably they should not be used for measuring important medicines.
Measurement of Weight
60 grains (gr) = 1 drachm
8 drachms = 1 ounce
Metric Volume Equivalents
1 litre = approximately 35 fluid ounces
1 cubic centimetre = approximately 17 drops
Metric Weight
1 gramme = approximately 15 grains
