Hide (unit)

The Hide (Old English hide) was an Anglo-Saxon square measure. The name was from the Old English term hiwisc ( family, household ) derived and originally referred to an area that could be run by a family and they supplied. This " farm size " was mostly about 40 ha, but could vary between 24 and 48 ha.

At least the 7th century, both the size of individual ownership as well, such as in tribal Hidage, the size of kingdoms in Hides specified. With the acquisition of the property in the burghal Hidage in the 9th century, the obligation of hydars or hidarii to construction and occupation of forts and food for the troops was connected.

In the 11th century the situation had changed to the effect that often four, sometimes had to find on a Hide a livelihood for more than eight families. In particular, in the west but also hide farms ( farms undivided ) had obtained from which the " manors " ( manor, manor house ) emerged after the Norman conquest of England in 1066. In some rural areas the Hide was used in local contexts to in the 19th century as a unit.