Legal Definitions - metewand

A metewand is an archaic term that refers to a measuring rod or staff of various lengths, historically used to determine dimensions, distances, or boundaries.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of a metewand:

• Imagine a land surveyor in 17th-century England tasked with dividing a large estate among heirs. This surveyor would have used a metewand, perhaps a long wooden pole marked with specific units, to accurately measure and delineate the new property lines. The varying lengths of these staffs would allow for different scales of measurement, from small plots to extensive tracts of land.

• Consider a master carpenter in a medieval workshop constructing a large timber-framed building. To ensure that all the beams and posts were cut to the precise, required dimensions, the carpenter would rely on a metewand. This measuring staff, perhaps a custom-made rod, would serve as a consistent reference for length, ensuring the structural integrity and uniformity of the building components.

• In a historical legal dispute over property boundaries, a court might have dispatched an official to physically inspect and verify the contested land. This official would carry a metewand to re-measure the disputed perimeter, comparing the actual dimensions against old deeds or maps. The staff's varying lengths would be crucial for precise verification, helping to resolve the legal disagreement by establishing factual measurements.