I think you are right about the ways things evolved in different contexts. Most people would never know what the rest of the country were doing so they would work things their own ways in their own villages/areas.
I keep getting surprised by the fact, fixing the nation's time was not standardised until the railways brought a need in order to run a timetable.
Again, I would guess that some of the odd measurements started out with a real purpose. For example, 1 yard was the size of a large stride. A rod pole or perch was 5 1/2 yards, why not 5yards? I wonder if the extra was some way of trying to ensure no one was given short measure. The baker's dozen in a way.
I keep getting surprised by the fact, fixing the nation's time was not standardised until the railways brought a need in order to run a timetable.
Again, I would guess that some of the odd measurements started out with a real purpose. For example, 1 yard was the size of a large stride. A rod pole or perch was 5 1/2 yards, why not 5yards? I wonder if the extra was some way of trying to ensure no one was given short measure. The baker's dozen in a way.