mind game

[buzby007]

I have a riddle I have come across on a back of a matchbox but the answer is driving me nuts can you help? The riddle is as follows:
Betty and Lucy were touring the West Country on holiday. Lucy was particular fond of old country churchyards, and in one found an extraordinary gravestone. It was that of a child who, according to the inscription was born on 15th May 1658 and died, aged 8 months, on 24 January the same year is this possible?

I think the riddle has something to do with time and the re aligning of the seasons and dates but not sure.

[paulamathers]

someone may have drawn an extra bit on the gravestone making it look like an 8 rather than a 9?

[Strix]

I think it has to do with what was thought of then as the beginning of the year; i.e. I can't remember the date of the change but the Easter Equinox was thought of as the beginning of the year not January 1. Yes the " year date" would change on Jan 1, but the New Year wouldn't start until March 21-ish.
Think this is right, haven't been able to verify but somewhere in the past I was taught this.
Strix

[suestone]

I think at that time the New Year started on March 25 so May and January did fall in the same year.

[Aquagility]

See this link -

http://www.furrfu.com/magpies/cal_gregorian.ht ml

[Strix]

Suestone is correct. March the 25th - Lady Day, The feast of the Annunciation (9 months before the nativity) was thought an appropriate date for the inception of the year.