I expect you are about right, but the Inland Revenue is not using the Julian
calendar, merely the difference between the old and new calendars in 1752.
Due to the change in the calendar 1751 was 11 days shorter than usual (only
354 days); it was considered unfair for people to have to pay a full year's
tax for a shorter year. The Exchequer year therefore ended when it would
have done by the old calendar, and every Exchequer year has ended on 5 April
ever since. However it has not crept forward by extra days in 1800 and
1900, unlike the Orthodox church, which (I believe) continues to use the
Julian calendar, rather than the Gregorian.
This did not only apply to the year end, but also to quarter days. The
Customs year 1751 ran from 25 December 1750 to 5 January 1752 (or something
like that); late 18th century port books systematically ended their quarters
on the old quarter days. Similarly rents under old leases continued to be
paid on the old quarter days; and this could even apply where a lease was
renewed for a fixed term of years, continuing one that had used the old
quarter days.
I have sometimes seen people use OS and NS incorrectly. Diplomatic
correspondence between countries where one was using the Julian calendar and
the other the Gregorian often has two dates, and a reference to a date in
the text will say OS or NS. I expect this also applies in merchants
correspondence but do not recall seeing this. I have seen people referring
to 5 February 1700/1 as 5 February 1701 NS, when 5 February is the Julian
date but the year has been altered to the modern year. My understanding is
that that is an incorrect use of NS. If I am wrong, no doubt some one will
say so.
I am of course aware that it is usual in writing historical books and
articles to use the modern year, but I have seen a case where the
'correction' has been applied twice - some one has thought that a date
quoted as 1701 was 1701/2 when it was in fact 1701. My own practice is to
use the form 1700/1 until the text is agreed (or just prior to initial
submission) and delete the double style at that point.
Peter King
-----Original Message-----
From: From: Local-History list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of GATLEY David A
Sent: 05 April 2005 15:34
To: Peter Wickham King
Subject: Happy New Year?
Is tomorrow (6th April) New Years Day under the Julian or Old Style
Calendar?
In 1752 New Years day was moved from the 25th March to 1st Jan and 11
days were dropped from the calendar. Under the old style calendar both
1800 and 1900 were leap years, but they were not leap years under the
Gregarian (or New Style) Calendar.
That means that the two calendars are now 13 days apart.
I make it therefore that tomorrow the 6th April (NS) is New Year's day
under the old style calendar (being the 25th March (OS)).
Is my mathematics wrong and does it mean that the Inland Revenue are
still using the old style calendar? (It is the first day of the tax
year).
Meanwhile you have the ideal excuse for going out for a drink this
evening.
David
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