Descriptive documentary evidence is an important source of detailed information on past climates, particularly for the period between the eleventh century and the beginning of the era of instrumental meteorology. Historical climatology is concerned with the study and climatic interpretation of this evidence. However, there are many pitfalls in using historical records, associated with the fact that such records were rarely written primarily as descriptions of climate and with the fact that many readily accessible records are of doubtful reliability. Here we take a critical look at existing work in the field, with the aim of isolating many problems which need to be recognised and overcome before historical climatology can be considered to rest on a secure methodological and factual footing.
- M. J. Ingram
- D. J. Underhill
- T. M. L. Wigley
