How far is a league?

Dunadan · 11-06-2002, 05:27 AM

(I've searched elsewhere but not been able to find and answer; apologies if it's already been done)

cheers

d.

BeardofPants · 11-06-2002, 05:41 AM

3 statute miles
4.828 kilometers

From here.

Dunadan · 11-06-2002, 05:53 AM

Ta muchly. For some reason it never occurred to me that T would use "real" measures...

Getchan · 11-08-2002, 06:56 PM

That measurment site also says that 1 fathom = 6 feet. Thorondor's wingspan was 30 fathoms, or 180 feet. That was one HUGE eagle!!

Asfaloth · 11-09-2002, 07:07 AM

Thorondor's wingspan was 180 feet?! :

Wow! I thought it was about fifty feet at the most! Thanks for setting me straight on that one

The Lady of Ithilien · 11-09-2002, 09:29 AM

Quote:

For some reason it never occurred to me that T would use "real" measures...

One wonders if he did it just to add to the "olde" feeling, or for some other reason. Was reading an almanac the other day and realized that the whole system that includes leagues, furlongs and such is based on the human body (red font indicates a measurement not used by Tolkien):

1 league = 3 miles
1 mile =8 furlongs
1 furlong = 40 rods
1 rod = 6 paces (which in later days to provide consistency among surveyors was quantified as 5-1/2 yards)
1 pace = the length of a grown man's stride

Of course, if the unit of measurement in ME had been measured by Aragorn's stride, distances would have been vast, indeed.

markedel · 11-09-2002, 03:01 PM

There is a list of various numenorian measures in UT

Ërendil · 11-10-2002, 09:31 AM

In the two towers Sam said that his rope was 30 ells.
How long is that?

The Lady of Ithilien · 11-10-2002, 10:05 AM

"Ell, English: 1-1/4 yards of 1/32 bolt. Used for measuring cloth."

Or rope, I suppose. Sam's people were ropemakers, after all. Tolkien sure paid attention to details!

Once many moons ago I looked that one up, and seem to remember that it was supposed to be based on the length of a man's arm, but can't document that now. Is it true?

The almanac also points out that a Gross is equal to 12 dozen or 144. It isn't said to pertain to hobbits, though JRRT certainly used it that way at Bilbo's party. (G)

Blackboar · 12-06-2002, 01:58 PM

This thread is interesting!
I really needed to know this! Thank you! Thanx to BoP, Getchan and LoI.
This thread has actually made me think!

Duddun · 12-07-2002, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Getchan
That measurment site also says that 1 fathom = 6 feet. Thorondor's wingspan was 30 fathoms, or 180 feet. That was one HUGE eagle!!

If i was Gandalf I would't worry about falling off! Jeez!

Coney · 12-07-2002, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Duddun
If i was Gandalf I would't worry about falling off! Jeez!

The Istari could still be physically harmed.........their powers could protect them but they were still suceptible to harm, especially when weakened

Duddun · 12-07-2002, 01:23 AM

Nilore · 12-07-2002, 08:21 AM

Wow its amazing how much info you can get from a question!

Nilore

The Lady of Ithilien · 01-31-2003, 10:04 PM

Well, we weren't, actually, but "fortnight" is an old-fashioned term used around the same time as "league," and this thread came to mind as I read the following during an explanation of what a lunar month is:

Quote:

Each month is divided into fortnights: of the waxing moon and of the waning moon. Each half is therefore of 14 or 15 days and in each half the days are numbered from the first of the waxing moon (the day after new moon day) to the fourteenth (or fifteenth) of the waxing moon, and then from the first of the waning moon to the fourteenth of the waning moon.

"Fort" (as in fourteen)-night: the amount of time Aragorn estimated it would take him and the hobbits to reach the Ford of Bruinen from Weathertop. Half a month -- no wonder Frodo was discouraged!

Also, now JRRT's descriptions of the phase of the moon throughout The Lord of the Rings reveal their importance (he used the moon in 1942, I think, or was it 1941?). That, more than the use of weekday names (which were complicated enough to discuss in the appendices), gives one the sense of days (and nights) moving right along. And it's so subtle, you don't even notice. Er, has anyone ever commented on the man's genius?

Within the last five minutes, I mean.

11-06-2002, 05:27 AM	#1
Dunadan The Quite Querulous Quendi Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Oxon, UK Posts: 638	How far is a league? (I've searched elsewhere but not been able to find and answer; apologies if it's already been done) cheers d.

11-06-2002, 05:41 AM	#2
BeardofPants the Shrike Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA <3 Posts: 10,647	3 statute miles 4.828 kilometers From here. __________________ "Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords

11-08-2002, 06:56 PM	#4
Getchan Hobbit Join Date: May 2002 Location: near the Mouths of Sirion Posts: 31	That measurment site also says that 1 fathom = 6 feet. Thorondor's wingspan was 30 fathoms, or 180 feet. That was one HUGE eagle!! __________________ "But I will sit and hearken, and be glad that through you great beauty has been wakened into song."

11-09-2002, 03:01 PM	#7
markedel 'Sober' Mullet Frosh Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Queen's Posts: 1,245	There is a list of various numenorian measures in UT __________________ "Earnur was a man like his father in valour, but not in wisdom"

11-10-2002, 09:31 AM	#8
Ërendil Elven Warrior Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 389	In the two towers Sam said that his rope was 30 ells. How long is that? __________________ "You're one of the Abaharaki, oh I had forgotten. Look at me, I am completly drenched! I do hate the rain, it makes me so depressed..." "Hehehehe, moeru moeru!" "That's it, set it all on fire; we're gonna smoke out Escaflowne!" "Oh, I hit the wrong target... never mind that creature was useless to us anyway. Our orders were to get the girl? So he isn't our concern, we don't need him!" ^_^ Isn't Dilandau just fantastic? You just have to love the insane, murderous pyro :-D

11-06-2002, 05:53 AM	#3
Dunadan The Quite Querulous Quendi Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Oxon, UK Posts: 638	Ta muchly. For some reason it never occurred to me that T would use "real" measures...

11-09-2002, 07:07 AM	#5
Asfaloth Sapling Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 13	Thorondor's wingspan was 180 feet?! : Wow! I thought it was about fifty feet at the most! Thanks for setting me straight on that one

11-10-2002, 10:05 AM	#9
The Lady of Ithilien Elven Warrior Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Right here in between yesterday and tomorrow. Posts: 357	Back to the almanac.... "Ell, English: 1-1/4 yards of 1/32 bolt. Used for measuring cloth." Or rope, I suppose. Sam's people were ropemakers, after all. Tolkien sure paid attention to details! Once many moons ago I looked that one up, and seem to remember that it was supposed to be based on the length of a man's arm, but can't document that now. Is it true? The almanac also points out that a Gross is equal to 12 dozen or 144. It isn't said to pertain to hobbits, though JRRT certainly used it that way at Bilbo's party. (G) Last edited by The Lady of Ithilien : 11-10-2002 at 10:08 AM.

12-06-2002, 01:58 PM	#10
Blackboar Legolas's beloved sister and Queen of the Wood Elves of Mirkwood Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Under the hill at Bag-end, Hobbiton the Shire Or Rivendell,I can't remember!!!!!!!!!! Posts: 1,086	This thread is interesting! I really needed to know this! Thank you! Thanx to BoP, Getchan and LoI. This thread has actually made me think!

12-07-2002, 01:23 AM	#13
Duddun I Antha Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: You expect ME to know? Posts: 784	True __________________ If you say my name I go "What?" If you say my name twice I go and look it up in the dictionary. **************************** I'm Not Evil! ************************** If the critics say it's good, is it really That good? ************************** It's a bird! It's a plane! No! It's a balloon! **************************** Duddun, Son of Bubbun

12-07-2002, 08:21 AM	#14
Nilore Elven Warrior Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: I am every where and I am no where, I am everyone and I am no-one! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Posts: 319	Wow its amazing how much info you can get from a question! Nilore __________________ UZG-BURGÛLU-OB GHASHANUM GHASHNUM-OB MOR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Raise the Phial of Galadriel and let the Star Glass of Lothlorian cast out the Darkness of Shelob's Lair. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Naur an edraith ammen! Naur dan i ngaurholth! There was a roar and a crackle, and the tree above him burst into a leaf and bloom of blinding flame. The whole hill was crowned with a dazzling light! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ bhûl latu dûmp Accept Your DOOM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DIE MERE MORTALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh NO I AM A MERE MORTAL AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG GGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHH Stop the NUKE Stop the NUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nilore writes last will and testament. Gets on knees And begs God for Mercy. Realizes He's already dead Flies up to heaven ( By the power of Red Bull) and lives happily ever after. THE END ( It's a MINI adventure) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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