diff --git a/CHANGES b/CHANGES
index 298a761c4..f0d2c1811 100644
--- a/CHANGES
+++ b/CHANGES
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 Release 1.2 (in development)
 ============================
 
+* #1108: The text writer now correctly numbers enumerated lists with
+  non-default start values (based on patch by Ewan Edwards).
+
 * #1074: Add environment version info to the generated search index to avoid
   compatibility issues with old builds.
 
diff --git a/sphinx/writers/text.py b/sphinx/writers/text.py
index 1f90497e7..9df974079 100644
--- a/sphinx/writers/text.py
+++ b/sphinx/writers/text.py
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ class TextTranslator(nodes.NodeVisitor):
         self.list_counter.pop()
 
     def visit_enumerated_list(self, node):
-        self.list_counter.append(0)
+        self.list_counter.append(node.get('start', 1) - 1)
     def depart_enumerated_list(self, node):
         self.list_counter.pop()
 
diff --git a/tests/root/contents.txt b/tests/root/contents.txt
index de60ec6dd..7486750d6 100644
--- a/tests/root/contents.txt
+++ b/tests/root/contents.txt
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ Contents:
    extensions
    versioning/index
    footnote
+   lists
 
    Python <http://python.org/>
 
diff --git a/tests/root/lists.txt b/tests/root/lists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..99a55dc39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/root/lists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+Various kinds of lists
+======================
+
+
+nested enumerated lists
+-----------------------
+
+#. one
+
+#. two
+
+   #. two.1
+   #. two.2
+
+#. three
+
+
+enumerated lists with non-default start values
+----------------------------------------------
+
+0. zero
+#. one
+
+----------------------------------------
+
+1. one
+#. two
+
+----------------------------------------
+
+2. two
+#. three
+
+
+enumerated lists using letters
+------------------------------
+
+a. a
+
+b. b
+
+#. c
+
+#. d
+
+----------------------------------------
+
+x. x
+
+y. y
+
+#. z
+
+#. {