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Medieval weights and measures
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{{Short description|Measuring in various degrees during the Middle Ages}} {{Citation style|date=November 2019}} The following systems arose from [[Ancient weights and measures|earlier systems]], and in many cases utilise parts of much older systems. For the most part they were used to varying degrees in the [[Middle Ages]] and surrounding time periods. Some of these systems found their way into later systems, such as the [[Imperial unit|Imperial system]] and even [[SI]]. == English system == Before Roman units were reintroduced in 1066 by [[William the Conqueror]], there was an [[Anglo-Saxon]] (Germanic) system of measure, of which few details survive. It probably included the following units of length: * ''fingerbreadth'' or ''digit'' * ''inch'' * ''ell'' or ''cubit'' * ''foot'' * ''perch'', used variously to measure length or area * ''acre'' and ''acre's breadth'' * ''furlong'' * ''mile'' The best-attested of these is the ''perch'', which varied in length from 10 to 25 feet, with the most common value (16{{frac|1|2}} feet or 5.03 m) remaining in use until the twentieth century.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fernie |first1=E. C. |title=Anglo-Saxon Lengths: The 'Northern' System, the Perch and the Foot |journal=Archaeological Journal |date=1985 |volume=142 |issue=1 |pages=248–249 |doi=10.1080/00665983.1985.11021064 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00665983.1985.11021064 |access-date=1 November 2021|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Later development of the [[English unit|English system]] continued in 1215 in the Magna Carta.<ref>[https://www.orbilat.com/Languages/Latin/Texts/06_Medieval_period/Legal_Documents/Magna_Carta.html Magna Carta]</ref> Standards were renewed in 1496, 1588 and 1758.<ref name=knight>{{cite book|last=Knight|first=Charles|title=The Penny magazine of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, Volume 9|year=1840|publisher=Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge|location=London|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-BHnAAAAMAAJ|pages=221–2|quote=In 1758 the legislature turned attention to this subject; and after some investigations on the comparative lengths of the various standards, ordered a rod to be made of brass, about 38 or 39 inches long, graduated (measured) from the Royal Society's yard: this was marked “Standard Yard, 1758,” and was given into the care of the clerk of the House of Commons. For commercial purposes another bar was made, with the yard marked off from the same standard; but it had two upright fixed markers, placed exactly one yard apart, between which any commercial yard measures might be placed, in order to have their accuracy tested: it was graded in feet, one of the feet was graded in inches, and one of the inches in ten parts. This standard yardstick was kept at the Exchequer. In 1760, a copy of Bird's standard, made two years before, was constructed.}}</ref> Some of these units would go on to be used in later [[Imperial units]] and in the [[U.S. customary units|US system]], which are based on the [[English unit|English system]] from the 1700s. == Danish system == {{Unreferenced section|date=November 2019}} From May 1, 1683, King [[Christian V of Denmark]] introduced an office to oversee weights and measures, a ''justervæsen'', to be led by [[Ole Rømer]]. The definition of the ''alen'' was set to 2 Rhine feet. Rømer later discovered that differing standards for the Rhine foot existed, and in 1698 an [[iron]] [[Copenhagen]] standard was made. A pendulum definition for the foot was first suggested by Rømer, introduced in 1820, and changed in 1835. The metric system was introduced in 1907. === Length === * ''skrupel'' – Scruple, {{frac|1|12}} ''linie'' * ''linie'' – Line, {{frac|1|12}} ''tomme'' * ''tomme'' – Inch, {{frac|1|12}} ''fod'' * ''palme'' – Palm, for circumference, 8.86 cm * ''kvarter'' – Quarter, {{frac|1|4}} ''alen'' * ''fod'' – Defined as a ''Rheinfuss'' 31.407 cm from 1683, before that 31.41 cm with variations. * ''alen'' – Forearm, 2 ''fod'' * ''mil'' – Danish mile. Towards the end of the 17th century, Ole Rømer connected the mile to the circumference of the earth, and defined it as 12000 ''alen''. This definition was adopted in 1816 as the Prussian ''Meile''. The coordinated definition from 1835 was 7.532 km. Earlier, there were many variants, the most commonplace the ''[[Sjælland]]sk miil'' of 17600 ''fod'' or 11.130 km. === Volume === * ''potte'' – Pot, from 1603 {{frac|1|32}} ''foot''<sup>3</sup> * ''smørtønde'' – Barrel of butter, defined as 136 ''potter'' from 1683 * ''korntønde'' – Barrel of corn, defined as 144 ''potter'' from 1683 === Weight === * ''pund'' – Pound, from 1683 the weight of {{frac|1|62}} ''fot''<sup>3</sup> of water, 499.75 g === Miscellaneous === * ''dusin'' – 12 * ''snes'' – 20 * ''gross'' – 144 == Dutch system == {{Unreferenced section|date=November 2019}} The Dutch system was not standardised until Napoleon introduced the metric system. Different towns used measures with the same names but differing sizes. Some common measures: === Length === *''duim'' –2.54 cm *''kleine palm'' –3 cm *''grote palm'' –9.6 cm, after 1820, 10 cm *''voet'' –12 duim = abt. 29.54 cm, many local variations *''el'' – about 70 cm === Volume === *''Pint'' – 0.6 L === Weight === *''Ons, Once'' – {{frac|1|16}} pond = 30.881 g *''Pond'' (Amsterdam) – 494.09 g (other ponds were also in use) *''Scheepslast'' – 4000 Amsterdam ''pond'' = 1976.4 kg = 2.1786 short tons == Finnish system == {{Unreferenced section|date=November 2019}} In [[Finland]], approximate measures derived from body parts and were used for a long time, some being later standardised for the purpose of commerce. Some [[Sweden|Swedish]], and later some [[Russia]]n units have also been used. === Length === *''vaaksa'' – The distance between the tips of little finger and thumb, when the fingers are fully extended. *''kyynärä'' – c. 60 cm – The distance from the elbow to the fingertips. *''syli'' – fathom, c. 180 cm – The distance between the fingertips of both hands when the arms are raised horizontally on the sides. *''virsta'' – 2672 m (Swedish), 1068.84 m (Russian) *''poronkusema'' – c. 7.5 km – The distance a [[reindeer]] walks between two spots it urinates on. This unit originates from Lapland (i.e. [[Sápmi]]). *''peninkulma'' – 10.67 km – The distance a barking dog can be heard in still air. === Area === *''tynnyrinala'' – 4936.5 m<sup>2</sup> – The area (of field) that could be sown with one barrel of grain. === Volume === *''kannu'' – 2.6172 L *''kappa'' – 5.4961 L === Weight === *''leiviskä'' – 8.5004 kg === Miscellaneous === *''kortteli'' – 148 mm (length) or 0.327 L (volume) == French system == {{Unreferenced section|date=November 2019}} In [[France]], again, there were many local variants. For instance, the ''lieue'' could vary from 3.268 km in [[Beauce, France|Beauce]] to 5.849 km in [[Provence]]. Between 1812 and 1839, many of the traditional units continued in ''metrified'' adaptations as the ''mesures usuelles''. In Paris, the redefinition in terms of metric units made 1 m = 443.296 ''ligne'' = 3 ''pied'' 11.296 ''ligne''. In Quebec, the surveys in French units were converted using the relationship 1 ''pied'' (of the French variety; the same word is used for English feet as well) = 12.789 inches (of English origin). Thus a square arpent was 5299296.0804 in<sup>2</sup> or about 36,801 ft<sup>2</sup> or 0.8448 acre. There were many local variations; the metric conversions below apply to the Quebec and Paris definitions. === Length === * ''ligne'' – {{frac|1|12}} ''pouce'' 2.2558 mm * ''pouce'' – Inch, {{frac|1|12}} ''pied'' 27.070 mm * ''pied'' – Foot, varied through times, the Paris ''pied de roi'' is 324.84 mm. Used by [[Charles-Augustin de Coulomb|Coulomb]] in manuscripts relating to the inverse square law of electrostatic repulsion. [[Isaac Newton]] used the "Paris foot" in his ''[[Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica]]''. * 1 Roman cubit = 444 mm (so 10000 Roman cubits = 4.44 km, a closer approximation to {{frac|1|25}} degree) * ''[[toise]]'' – Fathom, 6 ''pieds''. Originally introduced by [[Charlemagne]] in 790, it is now considered to be 1.949 m. * ''arpent'' – 30 ''toises'' or 180 ''pieds'', 58.471 m * ''lieue de poste'' – Legal league, 2000 ''toises'', 3.898 km * ''lieue metrique'' – Metric system adaptation, 4.000 km * ''lieue commune'' – French land league, 4.452 km, {{frac|1|25}} Equatorial degree * ''lieue marine'' – French (late) sea league, 5.556 km, 3 [[nautical mile]]s. === Area === * ''arpent'' – square arpent, 900 square ''toises'', 3419 m<sup>2</sup> === Volume === * ''litron'' – 0.831018 litres === Weight === * ''livre'' – 0.4895 kg * ''[[quintal]]'' – 100 ''livres'', 48.95 kg == German system == {{Unreferenced section|date=November 2019}} Up to the introduction of the [[metric system]], almost every town in [[Germany]] had their own definitions. It is said that by 1810, in [[Baden, Germany|Baden]] alone, there were 112 different ''Ellen''. === Length === * ''Linie'' – Line, usually {{frac|1|12}} inch, but also {{frac|1|10}}. * ''Zoll'' – Inch, usually {{frac|1|12}} foot, but also {{frac|1|10}}. * ''Fuss'' – Foot, varied between 23.51 cm in [[Wesel]] and 40.83 cm in [[Trier]]. * ''Rheinfuss'' – Rhine foot, used in the North, 31.387 cm * ''Elle'' – Ell / cubit, distance between elbow and finger tip. In the North, often 2 feet, In Prussia {{frac|17|8}} feet, in the South variable, often {{frac|2|1|2}} feet. The smallest known German ''elle'' is 402.8 mm, the longest 811 mm. * ''Klafter'' – Fathom, usually 6 feet. Regional changes from 1.75 m in [[Baden, Germany|Baden]] to 3 m in [[Switzerland]]. * ''Rute'' – Rod, Roman origin, use as land measure. Very differing definitions, 10, 12, 14, 15, 18 or 20 feet, varied between approx. 3 and 5 m. * ''Wegstunde'' – 'Way's hour', one hours travel (by foot), used up to the 18th century. In Germany {{frac|1|2}} ''Meile'' or 3.71 km, in [[Switzerland]] 16000 feet or 4.8 km * ''Meile'' – 'Mile', a German ''geographische Meile'' or ''Gemeine deutsche Meile'' was defined as 7.420 km, but there were a wealth of variants: ** [[Anhalt]] – 7532 m ** [[Baden, Germany|Baden]] – 8889 m before 1810, 8944 m before 1871, 8000 m thereafter ** [[Böhmen]] – 7498 m ** [[Duchy of Brabant|Brabant]] – 5000 m ** [[Bayern]] – 7415 m, connected to a {{frac|1|15}} Equatorial degree as 25406 Bavarian feet. ** [[Hamburg]] ([[Prussia]]) – In 1816, king [[Frederick William III of Prussia]] adopted the Danish mile at 7532 m, or 24000 Prussian feet. Also known as ''Landmeile''. ** [[Hessen-Kassel]] – 9206 m ** [[Lippe-Detmold]] – 9264 m ** [[Oldenburg (city)|Oldenburg]] – 9894 m ** [[Osnabrück]] – 5160 m ** [[Palatinate (region)|Pfalz]] – 4630 m ** [[Rheinland]] – 4119 m ** [[Sachsen]] – ''Postmeile'', 7500 m. Also 9062 m or 32000 feet in [[Dresden]] ** [[Schleswig-Holstein]] – 8803 m ** [[Westfalen]] – 11100 m, but also 9250 m ** [[Vienna]] – 7586 m ** [[Wiesbaden]] – 1000 m ** [[Württemberg]] – 7449 m * ''Reichsmeile'' – 'Imperial / (The) Realm's mile', new mile when the metric system was introduced, 7.5 km. Prohibited by law in 1908. * ''Schainos'' – Uncertain use, between 10 and 12 km, * ''Stadion'' – Uncertain use == Norwegian system == {{Unreferenced section|date=November 2019}} Before 1541, there were no common definition for length measures in [[Norway]], and local variants flourished. In 1541, an ''alen'' in [[Denmark]] and [[Norway]] was defined by law to be the [[Sjælland]] ''alen''. Subsequently, the ''alen'' was defined by law as 2 Rhine feet from 1683. From 1824, the basic unit was defined as a ''fot'' being derived from [[astronomy]] as the length of a one-second pendulum times {{frac|12|38}} at a [[latitude]] of 45°. The [[metric system]] was introduced in 1887. === Length === * ''skrupel'' – Scruple, {{frac|1|12}} ''linje'' or approx. 0.18 mm. * ''linje'' – Line, {{frac|1|12}} ''tomme'' or approx. 2.18 [[millimetre|mm]] * ''tomme'' – Thumb (inch), {{frac|1|12}} ''fot'', approx. 2.61 cm. This unit was commonly used for measuring timber until the 1970s. Nowadays, the word refers invariably to the [[Imperial units|Imperial]] [[inch]], 2.54 cm. * ''kvarter'' – Quarter, {{frac|1|4}} ''alen''. * ''fot'' – Foot, {{frac|1|2}} ''alen''. From 1824, 31.374 cm. * ''alen'' – Forearm, 62.748 cm from 1824, 62.75 [[centimetre|cm]] from 1683, 63.26 cm from 1541. Before that, local variants. * ''favn'' – [[Fathom]] (pl. ''favner''), 1.882 [[metre|m]]. * ''stang'' – Rod, 5 ''alen'' or 3.1375 m * ''lås'' – 28.2 m * ''steinkast'' – Stone's throw, perhaps 25 ''favner'', used to this day as a very approximate measure. * ''fjerdingsvei'' – Quarter mile, alt. ''fjerding'', {{frac|1|4}} ''mil'', i.e. 2.82375 km. * ''rast'' –Lit. "rest", the old name of the ''mil''. A suitable distance between rests when walking. Believed to be approx. 9 km before 1541. * ''mil'' – Norwegian [[mile]], spelled ''miil'' prior to 1862, 18000 ''alen'' or 11.295 [[kilometre|km]]. Before 1683, a ''mil'' was defined as 17600 ''alen'' or 11.13 km. The unit survives to this day, but in a [[metric system|metric]] 10 km adaptation * ''landmil'' – Old land-mile, 11.824 km. === Area === * ''kvadrat rode'' – Square ''stang'', 9.84 m<sup>2</sup> * ''mål'' – 100 ''kvadrat rode'', 984 m<sup>2</sup>. The unit survives to this day, but in a [[metric system|metric]] 1000 m<sup>2</sup> adaptation. * ''tønneland'' – "Barrel of land", 4 ''mål'' === Volume === * ''skjeppe'' – {{frac|1|8}} ''tønne'', i.e. 17.4 L. * ''tønne'' – Barrel, 139.2 L. * ''favn'' – 1 ''alen'' by 1 ''favn'' by 1 ''favn'', 2.232 m<sup>3</sup>, used for measuring firewood to this day. === Weight === * ''ort'' – 0.9735 g * ''merke'' – From Roman pound, (pl. ''merker''), 249.4 g, 218.7 g before 1683. * ''pund'' – Pound, alt. ''skålpund'', 2 ''merker'' 0.4984 kg, was 0.46665 kg before 1683 * ''bismerpund'' – 12 ''pund'', 5.9808 [[kg]] * ''vette'' – 28.8 ''mark'' or 6.2985 kg. * ''laup'' – alt. 'spann', used for butter, 17.93 kg (approx. 16.2 L). * ''våg'' – {{frac|1|8}} ''skippund'', 17.9424 kg. * ''skippund'' – Ships pound, 159.488 kg. Was defined as 151.16 kg in 1270. === Nautical === * ''favn'' – Fathom (pl. ''favner''), 3 ''alen'', 1.88 m * ''kabellengde'' – [[cable length]], 100 ''favner'', 185.2 m * ''kvartmil'' – Quarter mile, 10 ''kabellengder'', 1852 m * ''sjømil'' – Sea mile, 4 ''kvartmil'', 7408 m, defined as {{frac|1|15}} Equatorial degree. === Monetary === * ''skilling'' – Shilling, see ''riksdaler'' and ''speciedaler''. * ''ort'' – See ''riksdaler'' and ''speciedaler''. * ''riksdaler'' – Until 1813, Norwegian [[thaler]]. 1 ''riksdaler'' is 4 ''ort'' or 6 ''mark'' or 96 ''skilling''. * ''speciedaler'' – Since 1816. 1 ''speciedaler'' is 5 ''ort'' or 120 ''skilling''. From 1876, 1 ''speciedaler'' is 4 ''kroner'' (Norwegian crown, [[Norwegian krone|NOK]]). === Miscellaneous=== * ''tylft'' – 12, also ''dusin'' * ''snes'' – 20 * ''stort hundre'' – Large hundred, 120 * ''gross'' – 144 == Portuguese system == The various systems of weights and measures used in Portugal until the 19th century combine remote Roman influences with medieval influences from northern [[Europe]] and [[Islam]].The Roman and northern European influences were more present in the north. The Islamic influence was more present in the south of the country. Fundamental units like the {{lang|pt|alqueire}} and the {{lang|pt|almude}} were imported by the northwest of Portugal in the 11th century, before the country became independent of León. The gradual long-term process of standardization of weights and measures in Portugal is documented mainly since the mid-14th century. In 1352, municipalities requested standardization in a parliament meeting ({{lang|pt|Cortes}}). In response, [[Afonso IV of Portugal|Afonso IV]] decided to set the {{lang|pt|alna}} ({{lang|pt|aune}}) of [[Lisbon]] as standard for the linear measures used for color fabrics across the country. A few years later, [[Pedro I of Portugal|Pedro I]] carried a more comprehensive reform, as documented in the parliament meeting of 1361: the {{lang|pt|arrátel folforinho}} of [[Santarém, Portugal|Santarém]] should be used for weighing meat; the {{lang|pt|arroba}} of Lisbon would be the standard for the remaining weights; cereals should be measured by the {{lang|pt|alqueire}} of Santarém; the {{lang|pt|almude}} of Lisbon should be used for wine. With advances, adjustments and setbacks, this framework predominated until the end of the 15th century. Further information: [[Portuguese customary units]]. == Romanian system == {{Unreferenced section|date=November 2019}} The measures of the old Romanian system varied greatly not only between the three Romanian states ([[Wallachia]], [[Moldavia]], [[Transylvania]]), but sometimes also inside the same country. The origin of some of the measures are the Latin (such as ''iugăr'' unit), Slavic (such as ''vadră'' unit) and Greek (such as ''dram'' unit) and Turkish (such as ''palmac'' unit) systems. This system is no longer in use since the adoption of the metric system in 1864. === Length === * ''Cot'' (cubit) – 0.664 cm (Moldavia); 0.637 cm (Wallachia) * ''Deget'' (finger) – the width of a finger * ''Palmac'' – 3.48 cm (Moldavia) * ''Lat de palmă'' (palm width) – {{frac|1|2}} ''palmă'' * ''Palmă'' (palm) – {{frac|1|8}} of a ''stânjen'' * ''Picior'' (foot) – {{frac|1|6}} of a ''stânjen'' * ''Pas mic'' (small step) – 4 ''palme'' (Wallachia) * ''Pas mare'' (large step) – 6 ''palme'' (Wallachia; Moldavia) * ''Stânjen'' – 2 m (approximately) * ''Prăjină'' – 3 ''stânjeni'' * ''Funie'' (rope) – 20 – 120 m (depending on the place) * ''Verstă'' – 1067 m * ''Leghe'' (league) – 4.444 km; * ''Poştă'' – 8 – 20 km (depending on the country) === Area === * ''Prăjină'' – 180–210 m<sup>2</sup> * ''Feredelă'' – {{frac|1|4}} ''pogon'' * ''Pogon'' – 50000 m<sup>2</sup> * ''Iugăr'' – the area ploughed in one day by two oxen{{snd}} 7166 m<sup>2</sup> (Transylvania in 1517); 5700 m<sup>2</sup> or 1600 ''square stânjeni'' (later) * ''Falce'' – 14300 m<sup>2</sup> === Volume === * ''Litră'' – {{frac|1|4}} ''oca'' * ''Oca'' – (pl. ''ocale''), 1.5 litres ([[Moldavia]]); 1.25 litres ([[Wallachia]]) * ''Pintă'' – 3.394 litres (Transylvania) * ''Vadră'' – (pl. ''vedre'', in Transylvania 'Tină''), 10 ''ocale''; 12.88 litres (Wallachia); 15 litres (Moldavia) * ''Baniţă'' – 21.5 litres (Moldavia); 33.96 litres (Wallachia) * ''Chiup'' – 30–40 litres (a ''chiup'' was a large clay pot for liquids) * ''Obroc mic'' – 22 ''ocale'' * ''Obroc mare'' – 44 ''ocale'' * ''Merţă'' – 110–120 ''ocale'' (Moldavia); 22.5 litres (Transylvania) * ''Giumătate'' – 80–100 ''vedre (poloboc)'' * ''Feredelă'' – {{frac|1|4}} bucket (Transylvania) * ''Câblă'' – A bucket of wheat === Weight === * ''Dram'' – 3.18–3.25 g sau 3.22–3.80 cm<sup>3</sup> * ''Font'' – 0.5 kg ([[Transylvania]]) == Russian and Tatar systems == See: * [[Obsolete Russian weights and measures]] * [[Obsolete Tatar weights and measures]] == Scottish system == {{Unreferenced section|date=November 2019}} === Length === * inch – 2.554 cm * foot – 12 inches, 30.645 cm * ''ell'' – Elbow, 37 Scots inches. 94.5 cm * ''fall'' – 18 Scots feet * mile – 320 ''falls'', 1814.2 m == Spanish system == There were several variants. The Castilian is shown. === Length === * ''punto'' – Point, {{frac|1|12}} ''línea'' * ''línea'' – Line, {{frac|1|12}} ''pulgada'' * ''pulgada'' – Inch, {{frac|1|36}} ''vara'', 0.02322 m * ''pie'' – Foot, 12 ''pulgadas'', 0.2786 m * ''vara'' – Yard, 0.8359 m * ''paso'' – Pace, 60 ''pulgadas'' * ''legua'' – [[League (unit)|League]], 5000 ''varas'', approx 4.2 km == Swedish system == {{Unreferenced section|date=November 2019}} In [[Sweden]], a common system for weights and measures was introduced by law in 1665. Before that, there were a number of local variants. The system was slightly revised in 1735. In 1855, a decimal reform was instituted that defined a new Swedish inch as {{frac|1|10}} foot. It did not last long, because the metric system was subsequently introduced in 1889. Up to the middle of the 19th century there was a death penalty for falsifying weights or measures. === Length === * ''linje'' – Line, after 1863 {{frac|1|10}} ''tum'', 2.96 mm. Before that, {{frac|1|12}} ''tum'' or 2.06 mm. * ''tum'' – Thumb (inch), after 1863 {{frac|1|10}} ''fot'', 2.96 cm. Before that, {{frac|1|12}} ''fot'' or 2.474 cm. * ''tvärhand'' – Hand, 4 inches. * ''kvarter'' – Quarter, {{frac|1|4}} ''aln'' * ''fot'' – Foot, {{frac|1|2}} ''aln''. Before 1863, the [[Stockholm]] ''fot'' was the commonly accepted unit, at 29.69 cm. * ''aln'' – Forearm (pl. ''alnar''). After 1863, 59.37 [[Centimetre|cm]]. Before that, from 1605, 59.38 cm as defined by king [[Carl IX of Sweden]] in [[Norrköping]] 1604 based on the ''Rydaholmsalnen''. * ''famn'' – [[Fathom]], 3 ''alnar''. * ''stång'' – 16 ''fot'', for land measurement * ''ref'' – 160 ''fot'', for land measurement, was 100 ''fot'' after 1855. * ''stenkast'' – Stone's throw, approx 50 m, used to this day as an approximate measure. * ''fjärdingsväg'' – {{frac|1|4}} ''mil'' * ''skogsmil'' – Also ''rast'', distance between rests in the woods, approx 5 km. * ''nymil'' – New mile from 1889, 10 km exactly. Commonly used to this day, normally referred to as ''mil''. * ''mil'' – Mile, also ''lantmil''. From 1699, defined as a unity mile of 18000 ''aln'' or 10.69 km. The unified mile was meant to define the suitable distance between inns. * ''kyndemil'' – The distance a torch will last, approx 16 km === Area === * ''kvadratfamn'' – square ''famn'' or 3.17 m<sup>2</sup> * ''kannaland'' – 1000 ''fot''<sup>2</sup>, or 88.15 m<sup>2</sup> * ''kappland'' – 154.3 m<sup>2</sup>. * ''spannland'' – 16 ''kappland'' * ''tunneland'' – 2 ''spannland'' * ''kvadratmil'' – square ''mil'', 36 million square ''famnar'', from 1739. === Volume === * ''pot'' – Pot (pl ''pottor''), 0.966 L * ''tunna'' – 2 ''spann'' * ''ankare'' – Liquid measure, 39.26 L * ''ohm'' – (alt. ''åm''), 155 ''pottor'' * ''skogsfamn'' – for firewood, 2.83 m<sup>3</sup> = 6×6×3 ''fot'' * ''storfamn'' – for firewood, 3.77 m<sup>3</sup> = 8×6×3 ''fot'' * ''kubikfamn'' – 5.65 m<sup>3</sup> = 6×6×6 ''fot'' === Weight === * ''ort'' – 4.2508 g * ''mark'' – {{frac|1|2}} ''skålpund'' or 212.5 g. Used from the Viking era, when it was approx 203 g. * ''skålpund'' – Pound, 0.42507 kg * ''bismerpund'' – 12 ''skålpund'', 5.101 [[kg]]. * ''lispund'' – 20 ''skålpund'' * ''skeppspund'' – Ships pound, 20 ''lispund'' or 170.03 kg. === Nautical === * ''kabellängd'' – Initially 100 ''famnar'' or 178 m. Later, a ''distansminut'' or {{frac|1|10}} [[nautical mile]]. * ''kvartmil'' – Quarter mile, 1852 m, identical to [[nautical mile]]. * ''sjömil'' – Sea mile, 4 ''kvartmil'', 7408 m === Monetary === * ''skilling'' – From 1776, {{frac|1|48}} ''riksdaler'' * ''õre'' – From 1534, {{frac|1|8}} ''mark''. Replaced by the ''skilling'', but from 1855 reintroduced as {{frac|1|100}} ''riksdaler''. * ''mark'' – From 1534, {{frac|1|3}} ''daler''. From 1604, {{frac|1|4}} ''daler''. * ''daler'' – From 1534, Swedish [[thaler]]. From 1873, replaced by the ''krona'' (Swedish crown, [[Swedish krona|SEK]]). * ''riksdaler'' – From 1624, {{frac|1|1|2}} ''daler'', from 1681 2 ''daler'', from 1715 3 ''daler'', from 1776 6 ''daler'' == Turkish system == === Length === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Measure !Metric |- |merhale |45480 m. |- |fersah |5685 m. |- |berid |227 m. |- |kulaç |1.89 m. |- |arşın |0.68 m. |- |endaze |0.65 m. |- |rubu |0.085 m. |- |hat |0.00263 m. |} * '''Mimar arşını = 77 cm = 24 Parmak''' * 12 Parmak = 1 Kadem * 1 Kadem = 36,6666 cm * 1 Parmak= 3,1573 cm * 1 Hat = 0,2631 cm * 1 Nokta = 0,0219 cm * '''Çarşı Arşını''' * 1 çarşı arşını = 68 cm=8 rubu * 1 rubu=8,5 cm=2 kerah * 1 kerah=4,25 cm === Area === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Measure !Metric |- |dönüm (new) |2720 m² |- |dönüm (old) |919 m² |} * 1 arşın (zirai)² = 0,57417 m² = 4 ayak² * 1 dönüm (yeni) = 2500 m² * 1 dönüm (büyük) = 2720 m² * 1 dönüm (atik) = 4 evlek = 1600 zirai² = 918,672 m² (bir kenarı 40 arşın (zirai) olan kare) * 1 atik evlek = 400 arşın² = 229,668 m² * 1 yeni evlek = 100 m² * 1 cerip = 3600 zirai² = 2067,012 m² * 1 ayak² = 144 parmak² = 0,14354 m² * 1 parmak² = 144 hat² = 0,00099751 m² * 1 hat² = 144 nokta² = 0,000006927 m² " 1 çarşı arşın² = 0,46240 m² * 1 urup² = 0,007225 m² * 1 kirah² = 0,0018062 m² * 1 endâze² = 0,422500 m² * 1 urup² = 0,0066015 m² * 1 ar=100 m² === Volume === * kile (İstanbul) 0,037 m³ = 37 lt. * şinik 0,00925 m³ = 9,25 lt. === Weight === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Measure !Metric |- |çeki |225,789 kg. |- |kantar |56,449 kg. |- |batman |7,697 kg. |- |okka |1,282 kg. |- |miskal |1 miskal = 1,5 dirhem |- |dirhem |0,003207 kg. = 3,207 gr. |- |kırat |0,0002004 kg. = 0,2004 gr. |} ==== Okka ==== * 1 tonilato = 4 çeki * 1 çeki = 4 kantar * 1 kantar = 44 okka(kıyye) * 1 batman = 6 okka(kıyye) * 1 okka(kıyye) = 400 dirhem ==== Dirhem ==== * 1 dirhem = 4 dönük * 1 dönük = 4 kırat * 1 kırat = 4 bakray * 1 bakray = 4 fitil * 1 fitil = 2 nekir * 1 nekir = 2 kıtmir * 1 kıtmir = 2 zerre === Time === * Menzil = 80 second === Ottoman units === The [[Ottoman Empire]] (1299–1923), the predecessor of modern [[Turkey]] was one of the 17 signatories of the [[Metre Convention]] in 1875. For 58 years both the international and the traditional units were in use, but after the proclamation of the Turkish Republic, the traditional units became obsolete. In 1931 by Act No. 1782, international units became compulsory and the traditional units were banned from use starting 1 January 1933. ==== Length ==== {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2" |Local name !In English !Equivalence !In modern units |- |''nokta'' |نقطه |point | |0.219 mm (0.0086 in) |- |''hat'' |خط |line |12 ''nokta'' |2.63 mm (0.104 in) |- |''parmak'' |پرمق |finger |12 ''hat'' |31.57 mm (1.243 in) |- |''kerrab'' or ''kirab'' | | | |42.5 mm (1.67 in) |- |''rubu'' or ''urup'' | | |2 ''kerrab'' |85 mm (3.3 in) |- |''ayak'' or ''[[kadem]]'' |آیاق |foot |12 ''parmak'' |378.87 mm (1.2430 ft) |- |''[[endaze]]'' | |[[ell]] | |650 mm (2.13 ft) |- |''[[arşın]]'' |آرشين or آرشون |ell | |68 cm (2.23 ft) |- |''zirai'' | |agricultural/yard |2 ''ayak'' |757.74 mm (2.4860 ft) |- |''kulaç'' | |[[fathom]] | |1.8288 m (6.000 ft) |- |''berid'' or ''menzil'' |بريد or منزل |range |600 ''ayak'' |227 m (745 ft) |- |''eski mil'' | |nautical mile |5,000 ''ayak'' |1,894.35 m (1.02287 nmi) |- |''[[Parasang|fersah]]'' |فرسخ |[[League (unit)|league]] |3 ''eski mil'' |5,685 m (3.532 mi) |- |''[[merhale]]'' |مرحلة |stage, phase |200 ''berid'' |45.48 km (28.26 mi) |} ==== Area ==== {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2" |Local name !In English !In modern units |- |''eski dönüm'' |اسكی دونوم |old [[dunam]] |919 m<sup>2</sup> (9,890 sq ft) |- |''büyük dönüm'' |بیوك دونوم |big dunam |2,720 m<sup>2</sup> (29,300 sq ft) |} ==== Volume ==== {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2" |Local name !In English !Equivalence !In modern units |- |''[[Şinik (unit)|şinik]]'' | |[[peck]] | |9.25 L (2.44 US gal) |- |''[[Kile (unit)|kile]]'' ([[Istanbul]]) |كيله |[[bushel]] |4 ''şinik'' |37 L (9.8 US gal) |} ==== Weight ==== {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2" |Local name !In English !Equivalence !In modern units |- |''kırat'' |قيراط |[[Carat (mass)|carat]] | |0.2004 g (1.002 carats) |- |''dirhem'' |درهم |(Turkish) dram |16 ''kırat'' |3.207 g (0.1131 oz) |- |''[[Oka (mass)|okka]]'' |اوقه |oka |400 ''dirhem'' |1.282 kg (2.83 lb) |- |''miskal'' |مثقال | |1.5 ''dirhem'' |4.25 g (0.150 oz) |- |''[[Batman (unit)|batman]]'' |بطمان | |6 ''okka'' |7.697 kg (16.97 lb) |- |''kantar'' |قنطار |weighbridge | |56.449 kg (124.45 lb) |- |''çeki'' |چكی | |4 ''kantar'' |225.789 kg (497.78 lb) |} ==== Volumetric flow ==== {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2" |Local name !In modern units |- |''hilal'' |هلال |0.6526 L/min |- |''çuvaldız'' | |1.125 L/min |- |''masura'' | |4.5 L/min |- |''kamış'' |قامش |9 L/min |- |''lüle'' |لوله |36 L/min |} ==== Time ==== The traditional calendar of the Ottoman Empire was, like in most [[Muslim]] countries, the [[Islamic calendar]]. Its era begins from the [[Hegira|Hijra]] in 622 CE and each year is calculated using the 12 Arabian lunar months, approximately eleven days shorter than a Gregorian solar year. In 1839, however, a second calendar was put in use for official matters. The new calendar, which was called the [[Rumi calendar|Rumi]] also began by 622, but with an annual duration equal to a solar year after 1840. In modern Turkey, the [[Gregorian calendar]] was adopted as the legal calendar, beginning by the end of 1925. But the Islamic calendar is still used when discussing dates in an Islamic context. == See also == * [[Mesures usuelles]] * [[Weights and measures]] == References == {{Reflist}} * ''Measure for Measure'', Richard Young and Thomas Glover, {{ISBN|1-889796-00-X}}. * ''Masse und Gewichte'', Marvin A. Powell * ''The Weights and Measures of England'', R. A. Connor * ''World Weights and Measures. Handbook for Statisticians'', UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs * ''Lexikon der Münzen, Maße, Gewichte, Zählarten und Zeitgrößen aller Länder der Erde'', Richard Klimpert, 1896 * ''Grand dictionnaire universel du XIXe siècle'', Pierre Larousse, 1874 * ''De gamle danske længdeenheder'', N.E. Nørlund, 1944 * ''Mål og vægt'', Poul Rasmussen, 1967. * ''Med mått mätt - Svenska och utländska mått genom tiderna'', Albert Carlsson, {{ISBN|91-36-03157-7}}. * '''^''' https://web.archive.org/web/20110128081041/http://www.tarihogretmeni.net/tarih/dinar-t28288.html * '''^''' <sup>'''''a'''''</sup> <sup>'''''b'''''</sup> <sup>'''''c'''''</sup> <sup>'''''d'''''</sup> Fethi Yücel: ''Pratik matematik'',Türkiye İş Bankası Kültür yayınları, Ankara, 1963,p.15 * '''^''' In this and following weight units kg. and gr. mean technically kg-weight or gr-weight. * '''^''' https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/arsin * '''^''' <sup>'''''a'''''</sup> <sup>'''''b'''''</sup> Erkal, Mehmet (1991). Arşın, TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, Cilt 3, s 411-413, İstanbul * '''^''' Kâtip Çelebi (2007). Deniz Savaşları Hakkında Büyüklere Armağan (Tuhfetü’l-Kibar fi Estari’l-Bihar), Kabalcı Yay. s 18, İstanbul. <nowiki>ISBN 975-997-111-9</nowiki> * Fethi Yücel: ''Pratik Matematik'', Türkiye İş Bankası Kültür yayınları, Ankara, 1963, p.15 * ''Türkiye’nin 75 yılı'', Tempo yayınları, Istanbul, 1998, p. 53 == External links == * [https://web.archive.org/web/20041208175603/http://www.rabbel.info/Olddumes.html#coinsweights Extensive list of Dutch measures] * [http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/ Dictionary of Units of Measurement] * [http://www.sizes.com/ Units of measure] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20041206053827/http://unicon.netian.com/unitsys_e.html Unit systems] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20041208185326/http://www.kb.nl/kb/resources/frameset_kb.html?%2Fkb%2Fskd%2Fskd%2Fmathemat.html Mile measurements] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20041210085422/http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/tech/oldleng.htm Old units of measure] * [http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/custom.html English Customary Weights and Measures] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20040904130641/http://www.j-lorber.com/Texte/Masse.html Alte Längenmaße und ihre Bedeutung] * [http://ikar.sbb.spk-berlin.de/werkzeugkasten/sonderregeln/4_3.htm Projekt zur Erschliessung historisch wertvoller Altkartenbestände] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20030223100306/http://www.maritimt.net/trj/hjelpetabeller.htm Scandinavian units] * [https://web.archive.org/web/19981205105612/http://www.algonet.se/%7Ehogman/slmatt.htm Swedish units] [[Category:Units of measurement]] [[Category:Systems of units]] [[Category:Science in the Middle Ages]] [[de:Alte Maße und Gewichte]] [[sl:Stare uteži in mere]]
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