A "span" is a traditional unit of length used for measuring cloth or fabric. It was historically used in various countries, including England, and is based on the width of the human hand or the spread of the fingers. The actual length of a span could vary depending on the region and historical context.
In England, a span was typically equal to 9 inches or approximately 22.86 centimeters. However, it's important to note that the definition of a span could vary from place to place and over time.
The "vara castellana" is a historical unit of length that was used in Spain. It was commonly used for land measurement and other purposes in various regions of Spain, especially in the Castile region, which is why it is called the "castellana" vara. The exact length of the vara castellana could vary by region and historical period.
In general, the vara castellana was approximately 835.9 millimeters or about 32.91 inches in length. However, variations existed, and in different parts of Spain and at different times in history, the length of the vara castellana could differ slightly.
Like many historical units of measurement, the vara castellana has largely been replaced by more standardized and modern systems of measurement, such as the metric system. In contemporary Spain, the metric system is the standard for length measurement.