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Revision as of 22:02, 5 February 2004 by 80.46.173.34 (talk) (Link updated)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)A hundred is an administrative division which historically was used to divide a larger region into smaller geographical units. The name is derived from the number hundred.
England
In England a hundred was the division of a shire for administrative, military and judicial purposes under the common law. Originally, when introduced by the Saxons, a hundred was supposed to contain approximately one hundred households headed by a hundred-man; it was further divided into tithings, which likewise contained ten. Compare with township. Above the Hundred was the Shire under the control of a Shire-reeve. Hundreds remined in existence into the late 19th century.
Sweden
In Sweden a hundred, or hundare, was an administrative division of a landskap. Initially the hundred referred a hundred men under arms, that were raised and supported by the inhabitants of the hundred. The use of hundreds was limited to Svealand and the region around lake Mälaren. In the 14th century the hundreds were converted in to another division that one of härad, which was used in Götaland and other parts of the country.