Chains such as this one were the standard method for measuring land for several centuries. Each link (straight section plus neighbouring round links) is just under 2 inches. There are 100 links in one chain making a total length of 66 feet. One acre is the area of 10 square chains, that is, 1 chain x 10 chains. They would have been used by the Duke`s factor to mark out crofters` land apportionments.
