The standard of weights was originally taken from corns of wheat, whence the lowest denomination of weights we have is still called a grain; thirty two of which are directed, by the statute called _compositio mensurarum_, to compose a penny weight, whereof twenty make an ounce, twelve ounces a pound, and so upwards. And upon these principles the first standards were made; which, being originally so fixed by the crown, their subsequent regulations have been generally made by the king in parliament. Thus, under king Richard I, in his parliament holden at Westminster, _A.D._ 1197, it was ordained that there shall be only one weight and one measure throughout the kingdom, and that the custody of the assise or standard of weights and measures shall be committed to certain persons in every city and borough[s]; from whence the antient office of the king's aulnager seems to have been derived, whose duty it was, for a certain fee, to measure all cloths made for sale, till the office was abolished by the statute 11 & 12 W. III. c. 20. In king John's time this ordinance of king Richard was frequently dispensed with for money[t]; which occasioned a provision to be made for inforcing it, in the great charters of king John and his son[u]. These original standards were called _pondus regis_[w], and _mensura domini regis_[x]; and are directed by a variety of subsequent statutes to be kept in the exchequer, and all weights and measures to be made conformable thereto[y]. But, as sir Edward Coke observes[z], though this hath so often by authority of parliament been enacted, yet it could never be effected; so forcible is custom with the multitude, when it hath gotten an head. [Footnote p: _Gr. Coustum._ _c._ 16.] [Footnote q: _cap._ 8.] [Footnote r: William of Malmsb. _in vita Hen. I._ Spelm. _Hen. I. ap._ Wilkins. 299.] [Footnote s: Hoved. Matth. Paris.] [Footnote t: Hoved. _A.D._ 1201.] [Footnote u: 9 Hen. III. c. 25.] [Footnote w: _Plac. 35 Edw. I. apud_ Cowel's Interpr. _tit. pondus regis._] [Footnote x: _Flet._ 2. 12.] [Footnote y: 14 Edw. III. st. 1. c. 12. 25 Edw. III. st. 5. c. 10. 16 Ric. II. c. 3. 8 Hen. VI. c. 5. 11 Hen. VI. c. 8. 11 Hen. VII. c. 4. 22 Car. II. c. 8.] [Footnote z: 2 Inst. 41.]