AULNAGE Meaning and
Definition
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Aulnage refers to an ancient form of measuring and assessing the length, width, and quality of cloth, as well as determining the appropriate taxes and duties. The term derives from the Latin word "aula," which means "hall" or "court." Aulnage was commonly practiced in medieval Europe, particularly in England and France, as a means of regulating the textile industry.
In the context of aulnage, specialized officials known as "aulnagers" were appointed by the king or local authorities. Their primary role was to examine and measure the cloth, employing a standardized measuring rod called an "auln," hence the origin of their title. The auln was a specific unit of measurement equivalent to one yard, often made of wood and marked with specific intervals for accurate measurement.
Aulnagers would travel throughout the kingdom or region, visiting towns and marketplaces where cloth was produced or sold. They would inspect the fabrics for quality, length, and width, ensuring compliance with established regulations. Additionally, aulnagers were responsible for levying taxes and tariffs on the cloth, based on its quality and dimensions. These duties were collected to finance various initiatives, such as supporting local weaving industries or funding public works.
Over time, aulnagers developed a vast knowledge of fabrics, allowing them to distinguish between various types and grades of cloth, as well as detect any attempts of fraud or deceit in the textile trade. Aulnage, therefore, played a crucial role in regulating and standardizing the production and trade of cloth, promoting fairness and quality control throughout the medieval textile industry.
Common Misspellings for AULNAGE
- zulnage
- sulnage
- wulnage
- qulnage
- aylnage
- ahlnage
- ajlnage
- ailnage
- a8lnage
- a7lnage
- auknage
- aupnage
- auonage
- aulbage
- aulmage
- auljage
- aulhage
- aulnzge
- aulnsge
- aulnagew
Etymology of AULNAGE
The word "Aulnage" originates from the Middle English term "aunage", which can be traced back to the Old French word "alaungan" or "aulnagier". The ultimate origin of the term is the Latin word "allocatio", meaning "allocation" or "apportionment". In medieval times, aulnage referred to the measurement and taxation of cloth, specifically the assessment of a tax based on the length or width of the fabric.
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