English Units - Length

Length

Poppyseed

about 1⁄₄ of a barleycorn

Line

1⁄₄ of a barleycorn

Barleycorn

Smallest Anglo-Saxon unit of length. Notionally the length of a corn of barley, its actual length was determined in relation to a particular rod of metal, typically a yard-bar, and thus 1/108th of a yard, 1/36 of foot, or 1/3 of an inch. The unit was nominally the base unit from which the inch was defined. 3 barleycorns comprising 1 inch was the legal definition of the inch in many medieval laws, both of England and Wales, from the 10th century Laws of Hywel Dda to the 1324 definition of the inch enacted by Edward II. Note the relation to the grain unit of weight. This archaic measure is still the basis for current UK and U.S. shoe sizes, with the largest shoe size taken as thirteen inches (a size 13) and then counting backwards in barleycorn units, although the original derivation was:

less than 13 barleycorns = infants with no shoes; 13 to 26 barleycorns = children's sizes 1 to 12; 26 to 39 barleycorns = men's sizes 1 to 13.

Digit

3⁄₄ inch

Finger

7⁄₈ inch

Hand

4 inches

Ynch, inch

Anglo Saxon inch, 3 barleycorns.

Nail

3 digits = 2 1⁄₄ inches = 1⁄₁₆ yard

Palm

3 inches

Shaftment

Width of the hand and outstretched thumb, 6 1⁄₂ ynches before 1066, 6 inches thereafter

Link

7.92 inches or one 100th of a chain.

Span

Width of the outstretched hand, from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger, 3 palms = 9 inches

Foot

Prior to the Anglo-Saxon invasions, the Roman foot of 11.65 inches (296 mm) was used. The Anglo-Saxons introduced a North-German foot of 13.2 inches (335 mm), divided into 4 palms or 12 thumbs, while the Roman foot continued to be used in the construction crafts. In the late 13th century, the modern foot of 304.8 mm was introduced, equal to exactly 10/11 Anglo-Saxon foot.

Cubit

From fingertips to elbow, 18 inches.

Yard

3 feet = 36 inches.

Ell

From fingertip of outstretched arm to opposite shoulder, 20 nails = 1 1⁄₄ yard or 45 inches. Mostly for measuring cloth

Fathom

Distance fingertip to fingertip arms outstretched, 6 feet

Rod (= perch) (= pole)

Used for surveying land and in architecture. The rod is the same length today as in Anglo-Saxon times. The pole is commonly used as a measurement for Allotment Gardens.(See also perch as an area and a volume unit.)

Chain

four linear rods. Named after the length of surveyor's chain used to measure distances until quite recently. Any of several actual chains used for land surveying and divided in links. Gunter's chain, introduced in the 17th century, is 66 feet.

Furlong

"One plough's furrow long" (Saxon furrow is furh), nominally the distance a plough team could be driven without rest, it was actually a very precise measure of 40 rods or 600 Anglo-Saxon feet (ten percent longer than the modern foot). Thus, 660 modern feet, 40 rods or ten chains.

Mile

Introduced after 1066, originally the Roman mile at 5000 feet, in 1592 it was extended to 5280 feet to make it an even number (8) of furlongs.

League

Usually three miles. Intended to be an hour's walk.