126
THE EASTERN BOUNDARY STONES OF THE
FOREST OF WALTHAM : SUPPLEMENTARY
NOTE.
By Professor RAPHAEL MELDOLA, F.R.S., etc., ; V.P. Essex Field Club.
IN a paper on the above subject published in 1895 (Essex
Naturalist, vol. ix., p. 1), attention was called to the
discrepancy between the date of the Perambulation in the 17th
year of Charles I. (Sept. 8th, 1641) and the date actually inscribed
on the stones, the latter, in all cases where the inscription is
legible, having "Sept. 8th, 1642." In explanation of this
discrepancy I suggested that the stones might have been put up
a year after the date of the "Inquisition" at Stratford
Langthorne (loc. cit., p. 7, foot-note). In view of the re-erection
and preservation of these stones by the Essex Field Club (under
the sanction of the Essex County Council), the question of the
actual date of erection has again been under consideration, and
my friend, Mr. Miller Christy, has made an alternative sugges-
tion concerning the discrepancy, which, even if not capable of
being proved, is of sufficient importance at the present juncture
to warrant its being placed upon record.
It is well known to antiquarians that in early times great
confusion arose through the different modes of reckoning the
commencement of the year. Thus there was the historical year,
which began on the 1st of January, and the civil, ecclesiastical
and legal year, which until the end of the 13th century began at
Christmas, and in and after the 14th century began on
March 25th, and so continued until the change in style intro-
duced at the beginning (i.e., Jan. 1st) of 1752 :—
" The confusion which arose from there being two modes of computing dates
in one kingdom must be sufficiently apparent ; for the Legislature, the Church,
and Civilians referred every event which happened between the 1st of January
and the 25th of March to a different year from Historians.
" Remarkable examples of the confusion produced by this practice are
afforded by two of the most celebrated events in English history. King Charles
I. is said, by most authorities, to have been beheaded on the 30th of January,
1648 ; while others, with equal correctness, assign that event to the 30th January,
1649. The revolution which drove James II. from the throne is stated by some
writers to have taken place in February, 1688 ; whilst, according to others, it
happened in February, 1689." 1
1 From The Chronology of History, etc.. by Sir Harris Nicholas, K.C.M.G., Ed. 1838,
pp. 41-42.