origin of the measurement stone

[carrotcarrot]

i heard or read somewhere, ages ago, that the origin of the weight a stone (14lbs) has something to do with the weight of a monarch...is it true? i can't find anything on the internet!
thanks

[spudqueen]

Are you sure it's not the origin of a yard?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yard

[Quizmonster]

The stone has meant various weights at different times, including 24 pounds and 25 pounds before settling at 14 pounds. I don't believe it had anything to do with a monarch, but rather the fact that actual stones were used in balancing weighing-machines in market-places. One was referred to as the Stone of London.
I guess it was seen as the master-weight in much the same way as, today, standard weights and measures are kept under lock and key in various places. If I remember rightly, the master-kilo is held in a Parisian vault, for example.

[Lil O'lady]

If you go and bother your local council, they will still have 'official' weights and measures including some real old ones like bushels and pecks - they are usually big bronze affairs with the name of the measure stamped on the outside.