News1 min ago
origin of the measurement stone
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i heard or read somewhere, ages ago, that the origin of the weight a stone (14lbs) has something to do with the weight of a monarch...is it true? i can't find anything on the internet!
thanks
thanks
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The stone has meant various weights at different times, including 24 pounds and 25 pounds before settling at 14 pounds. I don't believe it had anything to do with a monarch, but rather the fact that actual stones were used in balancing weighing-machines in market-places. One was referred to as the Stone of London.
I guess it was seen as the master-weight in much the same way as, today, standard weights and measures are kept under lock and key in various places. If I remember rightly, the master-kilo is held in a Parisian vault, for example.
I guess it was seen as the master-weight in much the same way as, today, standard weights and measures are kept under lock and key in various places. If I remember rightly, the master-kilo is held in a Parisian vault, for example.