English unit

The term English units refers to one of a number of systems of units of measurement, some obsolete, and some still in use. In spite of the name, it does not necessarily refer to the (non-SI) system of units still in intermittent use in England itself. In fact, the latter is often referred to outside the United States as the Imperial System.

Related Topics:
Units of measurement - SI - England - Imperial System

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Various different standards under the name 'English units' have applied at different times, in different places and for different things. Prior to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 the Anglo-Saxon system of measurement had been based on the units of the barleycorn and the gyrd (rod). This system presumably had Germanic origins. After the Norman conquest Roman units were reintroduced. The resultant system of English units was a combination of the Anglo-Saxon and Roman systems.

Related Topics:
Battle of Hastings - 1066 - Norman conquest - Roman units

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Later development of the British system continued by defining the units by law in the Magna Carta of 1215, and issuing measurement standards from the then capital Winchester. Standards were renewed in 1496, 1588 and 1758. The last Imperial Standard Yard in bronze was made in 1845; it served as the standard in the United Kingdom until the yard was internationally redefined as 0.9144 metre in 1959 (statutory implementation: Weights and Measures Act of 1963).

Related Topics:
British - Magna Carta - 1215 - Winchester - 1496 - 1588 - 1758 - 1845 - United Kingdom

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The use of English units spread throughout the British Isles and to the British colonies. These units form the basis for the Imperial system formerly used in Commonwealth countries and U.S. customary system used in the US. However, there exist differences between the U.S. customary system and the Imperial system the former being based on English systems of the 1700s whilst the latter being defined in 1824 after the American colonies had declared independence.

Related Topics:
Imperial system - Commonwealth - US - English - 1700s - 1824 - Independence

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In the form of the U.S. customary system English units are still very much in use in the United States despite official adoption of the International System of units (SI). In contrast, the use of these units in Commonwealth countries, where the introduction of the SI has been more successful, is limited and declining.

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