Sarpler

Sarpler

Sarpler, Sarplier or (in Scotland) Serplathe was a UK weight for wool.[1][2][3]

Definitions

The Oxford English Dictionary defines a sarpler as 80 tods, where a tod is usually 28lbs[1] thus usually 80 x 28 lbs, or 160 stone, = 2,240 pounds (1,020 kg)

Another definition, half the quantity, is given by Cowell's 1607 book (fourscore=80, 80 stone = 80 x 14lbs = 1,120 pounds (510 kg):[3]

Sarpler is a quantitie of woll. This in Scotland is called Serplathe, and conteineth fourscore stone ...

A different and apparently arithmetically confused definition is given in The Life and Works of Arthur Hall of Grantham, where he states:[2]

In a sarpler of wool is thre sacks, in everye sacke 26 stone at 14 pounde the stone, whiche makes 264 lbs., so as there is in a sarpler of wool 78 stone and 792 lbs.

The compendium Sizes Inc offers a range of inconsistent historic definitions, most of which agree that the term had gone out of use, but suggests that:[4]

In the late 19th century, the sarpler begins to be defined as a long ton (2240 pounds of wool). This value may also be an error, in this case arising from a mistaken substitution of the tod for the stone.


References

  1. "Sarplier". Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  2. The Life and Works of Arthur Hall of Grantham. Manchester University Press. 1919. p. 221. Retrieved 12 June 2016. sarpler.
  3. "What is the unit called a sarpler?". www.sizes.com. Retrieved 16 April 2021.

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