Page 1 of 1

Dalton commission register dates

Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:33 pm
by Graf Bretlach
Can anyone explain how the double dates bit works in Dalton, I thought it was to do with new/old style but that is only 10 days.

for example

in one list Dalton gives 15 Feb 1701/2 for Thomas Ferrers commission, but then gives 15 Feb 1702 under supplementary commissions

can anyone explain this and sorry its not a strictly wargaming topic.

Re: Dalton commission register dates

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 5:29 pm
by Ben Waterhouse
As far as I am aware the old/new Calender difference increases one day every 100 years, so it a 13 year difference now and 10 then.

Re: Dalton commission register dates

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 12:40 pm
by Rohan Wilmott
Hello, Graf Bretlach! I think it may be that in the old style, or was it in that era, the year was deemed to commence in March, so 1701-2 for a date in Feb.

Cheers, Rohan.

Re: Dalton commission register dates

Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2014 1:34 pm
by Graf Bretlach
Rohan

Great! yes that could be the reason, it fits in with the data I have, it is also an easy fix (just ignore the first year) although I have failed to find mention of it by Dalton or others in my searches.

thanks again

Re: Dalton commission register dates

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 8:26 pm
by wdrenth
hello Graf Bretlach,

As other indicated, it is indeed the Old Style versus New Style, a source for much misunderstanding :-)

Before 1700, the difference was 10 days. So, William of Orange sailed from Holland on 11 November 1688 [NS, as used on the continent], and landed at Torbay on 5 November [OS].

As to the battle of the Boyne, 1 July 1690 [OS], this became 12 July in the 18th century when the New Style was adopted and on that date those marches take place in NI. (A bit silly, as the correct date (New Style) would have been 11 July ... )

In the 18th century the difference was 11 days, have the dates of battles like Blenheim, and the death of king William different in English and, say, Dutch and French sources. In Russia the Old Style was used until the revolution, which is why the October Revolution was actually in November (or the other way around ...) and Russian Xmas is celebrated somewhere in January.

cheers,
Wienand

Re: Dalton commission register dates

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 9:17 pm
by Graf Bretlach
Thanks Wienand, I understand the Julian/Gregorian calendar bit but didn't realise the english also started the year March/April although I knew the UK tax year starts 6 April I didn't realise the reason behind it.

A commission in February would never have a different year just through old/new style dating (10-13 days) hence my question.

regards

Mark