ONWARD from or about the year 50 B.C., the Gauls adopted the manners, customs, and calendars of the Romans, who had then subjugated the country now known as France. In the fourth and fifth centuries of the Christian era, he Teutonic barbarians gradually got a footing on the land; and on the formal withdrawal of the Romans, these hordes overran the Gallic territories. History certainly seemed to be thereby doomed. But no. By 800 A.D, chronological order had recommenced, although it was their custom to begin the year as on Christmas Day, festum Nativitatione Christi—a usage which, according to Nicolas, 'prevailed almost universally during the ninth century,' Thereafter the Feast of the Annunciation was held by Eecclesiastics to open their year. Then Easter became New Year Day; and, to quote from the same authority, "from the end of the eleventh century to the year 1563, the usage has been nearly universal for the monarchs in their public instruments to begin the year at Easter" The papal indictions[2] were also used in some proclamations. But this was to be expected. To imitate Rome in these days was a cardinal virtue, except among Protestants.
105. In virtue of letters patent by Henry III. (of
