https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ell
An ell (from Old
Germanic *alinâ cognate
with Latin ulna)[1] is
a unit
of measurement, originally a cubit,
i.e., approximating the length of a man's arm from the elbow ("elbow" means the bend or bow of the ell or arm) to the tip of the middle finger, or about 18 inches (457 mm); in later usage, any of several longer units.[2][3] In
English-speaking countries, these included (until the 19th century) the Flemish ell (3⁄4 of
a yard), English ell (5⁄4 yard)
and French ell (6⁄4 yard),
some of which are thought to derive from a "double ell"
Keith Grinsted
Marketing Manager - Essex Record Office
Phone: 07809 314394
LinkedIn:
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/keithgrinsted
Conference Centre | Archive Services | Digitisation | Sound & Video Archive | Research | Education | Genealogy | Wedding Venue
web:
www.essexrecordoffice.co.uk
blog:
www.essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk
address: Wharf Road Chelmsford CM2 6YT
Sign up for our e-bulletin
here
From: Archivists, conservators and records managers. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Charlotte Berry
Sent: 15 April 2016 12:36
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Friday afternoon query - definition for ells
Hello all
A Friday afternoon query – what is the precise definition of an ‘ell’ in terms of measuring distance? I have found it variously listed as 42” and “45.
If anyone else has any suggestions, please let me know!
Best wishes
Charlotte
Dr Charlotte Berry RMARA AMA FRSA
Cathedral Archivist
5 College Cloisters
Hereford Cathedral
HEREFORD HR1 2NG
Tel: (01432) 374225
Fax (01432) 374220
Email:
[log in to unmask]
www.herefordcathedral.org/education-research/library-and-archives
Twitter @HFDCathedral @HFDMagnaCarta
Contact the list owner for assistance at
[log in to unmask]
For information about joining, leaving and suspending mail (eg during a holiday) see the list website at
https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=archives-nra