MEASURES
A.D. 1273
In this year, both before and after Pentecost, all the measures were broken in pieces by the Mayor of the City, by which corn used to be sold in the City, and new ones made of larger dimensions; each of which measures was bound in the upper part by an iron hoop, fastened on with iron nails, that so they might not at any time be falsified.
Each measure also, that is to say, each quarter, half quarter, and bushel, was sealed with the Alderman’s seal.
C. A.D. 1293
Memorandum—that the gallon of Conduit water weighs ten pounds four shillings (1s. 3/5oz.) by the ordinary weight.
Also the gallon of Thames water weighs ten pounds, sixteen pence, by the same weight.
Also the grocers’ pound of wax and of fruit is to weigh 25 shillings, the ounce 25 pence, and the quarter 6 shillings and 3 pence.
Be it remembered that the sterling (silver penny) must weigh 32 grains of corn in number, from the middle of the ear;
And to the quarter of an ounce go 160 grains in number.
And to the half ounce go 320 grains.
And to the whole ounce go 640 grains; the ounce, that is to say, of twenty sterlings.
And to the quarter of the pound go 1,920 grains in number.
And to the half pound go 3,840 grains.
And to the pound of 20 shillings sterling go 7,680 grains in number, divided into 12 ounces.
And the weight of two pounds, which amounts in number to 15,360 grains, makes the quarter of liquor.
And the weight of four pounds, which amounts in number to 30,720 grains, makes the pottle.
And the weight of eight pounds, which amounts in number to 61,440 grains, makes the gallon.
And the weight of thirty-two pounds, which amounts in number to 245,760 grains, makes the old half bushel.
And the weight of sixty-four pounds, which amounts in number to 491,520 grains, makes the bushel of wheat, of the ancient standard.
And the weight of 256 pounds, which amounts in number to 19,266,180 grains of wheat, makes the half quarter.
And the weight of 512 pounds sterling, which amounts in number of grains of wheat to 3,932,160, makes the measure of one quarter of eight bushels.