league

1

In England, a unit of distance, probably introduced by the Norman invaders and derived from the Gallic leuca. In the 12th – 13th centuries it was equal to 12 furlongs, not much bigger than the Gallic unit, but lengthened in the 14th century to 2 miles. From the 15th – 19th centuries it grew to = 3 (statute) miles, which is the present value in the United States and many other countries.

sources

Unde 5 pedes faciunt passum, et 125 passus faciunt stadium; et 8 stadia faciunt mileare Anglicum; et 16 stadia faciunt miliare Gallicum, quod vocant Gallici unam leucam.

Thus 5 pedes make a passum, and 125 passus make a stadia, and 8 stadia make an English mile, and 16 stadia make a Gallic mile, which the Gauls call a leuca.

Nota quod tria grana ordei.
Reg. 13D. I, f. 248. 14^th century. See Hall and Nicholas, page 7.

This passage is a good illustration of how furlongs became confused with stadia. For the consequences, see mile.

2

The nautical league, also known as the geographical league, 18th – 19th century = 3 nautical miles. Different nautical leagues arise from the various nautical miles:

the international nautical league = 5.556 kilometers;
the British nautical league = 18,240 feet, approximately 5.559 552 kilometers.

3

In Texas, the league is a unit of land area, an anglicization of the Spanish legua, = 25,000,000 square varas (4,428.402 acres). Until 1836, land grants to emigrants were in leagues, afterwards in acres:

Date of arrival	Head of family	Single
before March 2, 1836	1 league + 1 labor	1/3 league
before August 1, 1836, if the person served a tour of duty and was honorably discharged	1 league + 1 labor	1/3 league
July 31, 1836 to July 31, 1837	1,280 acres	640 acres
August 1, 1837 to December 31, 1841	640 acres	320 acres

For its history, see vara.