The calendar: New Year, double dates and regnal years

When the year began

25 March

In England the civil and legal year began on Lady Day, 25 March. 1752 was the first year to begin on 1 January.Nottingham; Cheney; D&K-S p. 24

January to March

So the day after 31 December 1601 was 1 January 1601, and 1602 began on 25 MarchD&K-S p. 24

Double dating

For 1 January to 24 March, historians often write both years: 16 March 1592/3. Some writers did too.Nottingham; P&Y p. x

Scotland

Scotland began its year on 1 January from 1600Nottingham; Cheney

Old Style and New Style

Gregorian, 1582

Pope Gregory XIII's calendar dropped ten days: 4 October 1582 was followed by 15 October. Catholic countries took it up; England did not.Nottingham; Cheney

England, 1752

England changed in 1752: 2 September was followed by 14 SeptemberNottingham; P&Y p. x

O.S. and N.S.

Old Style is the old calendar, New Style the Gregorian. Letters between England and the Continent may carry both dates.Cheney; P&Y p. xi

Regnal years

Many documents count years from the day the reign began: 'the 16th year of King James'. A regnal year runs from that day to the day before it comes round again.

Charles II

His years count from his father's death on 30 January 1649, not from 1660, so the Restoration fell in his 12th yearCheney

Philip and Mary

From their marriage, documents give both reigns' years together. Check a table before converting.Cheney

A worked example

James came to the English throne on 24 March 1603, so his 16th year began on 24 March 1618P&Y p. xi

Sources

• D&K-S: G. E. Dawson and L. Kennedy-Skipton, Elizabethan Handwriting 1500–1650 (1966)
• P&Y: J. F. Preston and L. Yeandle, English Handwriting 1400–1650 (1999)
• Cheney: C. R. Cheney, ed., rev. M. Jones, A Handbook of Dates for Students of British History (2000)
• Nottingham: University of Nottingham Manuscripts and Special Collections, Dating documents (online guide)

Facts from these sources, in our own words. Page numbers are the printed pages.