Colin R. Chapman

Weights, Money and Other Measures Used by Our Ancestors Colin R. Chapman

Written for researchers who come across unfamiliar units of weights and measurements, this is the ideal companion to keep by your side when perusing wills, inventories, accounts, and old journals. How can we possibly appreciate the ancient manorial system without an understanding of oxgangs and hides? How can we come to grips with early population listings without knowing about virgates and farthingales? We now know, for instance, that a firkin of soap weighs 64 pounds, that a hogshead of claret contains 46 gallons, that a faggot of firewood is 36 inches in length, that a chest of Indian tea weighs 126 pounds, and if that isn't enough you'll also learn that in the year 1650 you could have a tooth extracted for about one shilling! What a book!