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.
The nautical league in the United Kingdom is a unit of nautical measurement that is traditionally defined as three nautical miles. A nautical mile, also known as a sea mile, is a unit of distance used in navigation and marine contexts. It is based on the circumference of the Earth and is approximately equal to one minute of latitude along a meridian.
In the United Kingdom and many other maritime nations, a nautical league is considered to be equal to three nautical miles, which is roughly equivalent to 5.556 kilometers or 3.452 statute miles (land miles). This measurement is used for maritime and navigational purposes, especially for calculating distances at sea.
It's worth noting that the use of traditional nautical measurements like leagues has largely been replaced by more standardized and precise modern navigation methods that rely on nautical miles and other internationally recognized units. Nonetheless, these older units of measurement may still be referenced in historical documents or traditional maritime contexts.