An "ell" is an antiquated unit of length that has been historically used in various countries, including England, Scotland, and Germany. The length of an ell could vary depending on the region and the specific purpose, but it was typically used to measure cloth or textiles. The term "ell" is derived from the Latin word "ulna," which means "forearm," as the length of an ell was often based on the length of a person's forearm.
Different regions had their own variations of the ell, but some common measurements include:
English Ell: In England, the English ell was approximately 45 inches or 1.143 meters.
Scottish Ell: In Scotland, the Scottish ell was longer, measuring around 37 inches or 0.94 meters.
French Ell: In France, the French ell, also known as the aune, was used and had its own variations, but it was typically around 1.188 meters.
Flemish Ell: In parts of Europe, including Belgium and the Netherlands, the Flemish ell was used, which was approximately 27 inches or 0.686 meters.
There isn't a widely accepted international standard for a "nautical league." The nautical mile (nmi) is the more common and internationally recognized unit of measurement for distances at sea. A nautical mile is approximately equal to one minute of latitude along a meridian, and it is used worldwide for maritime and aviation navigation.
In some regions, historical or localized variations of the league may have been used in the past, but these are not part of the modern international system of measurement. It's important to note that such variations can differ by country and even within different historical periods.
For precise and internationally recognized measurements in maritime and aviation contexts, the nautical mile is the preferred unit of distance. One nautical mile is equal to approximately 1.852 kilometers or 1.15078 statute miles (land miles).