Arctic pack ice extended so far south that Eskimos landed their kayaks on the north coast of Scotland. Further south, hungry Highlanders raided the Scottish lowlands. King James VI set up colonies of Presbyterian refugees from famine in Catholic northern Ireland
Arctic pack ice extended so far south that Eskimos landed their kayaks on the north coast of Scotland. Further south, hungry Highlanders raided the Scottish lowlands. King James VI set up colonies of Presbyterian refugees from famine in Catholic northern Ireland. Wolves raided the villages of England for what was probably the last time, while Londoners frolicked at Frost Fairs on the frozen River Thames.
This was the little ice age, which began in the 13th century and peaked in the 17th before finally releasing its grip some 200 years ago. At its height, there was widespread famine across northern Europe. Some suggest that half the populations of Norway and Sweden perished. Meanwhile, icy fingers stretched across the globe: snow blanketed parts of Ethiopia, crops failed in China and ice appeared on Lake Superior.
For some, the little ice age is 