Investigating the correlation between monthly average temperatures and tithe proxy data from the Low Countries

This paper investigates the correlation between monthly average temperatures and tithe leasing dates in the Low Countries between 1600 and 1810. The information was obtained from manorial tithe leasing records distributed across the Netherlands and Belgium. Similar research in France and in Switzerland relied on annual dates of grape harvest as a temperature proxy and provided a strong correlation between harvest dates and average monthly temperatures. However, the analysis of our data indicates a low correlation between average monthly temperatures, using the Labrijn temperature series, and tithe leasing dates. Possible reasons for this behaviour include soil variety, diversity in crop growth patterns, historical factors, and variety of crop types. The complexity of variables, therefore, does not permit for the usage of tithe leasing dates for ancient temperature reconstruction. Nonetheless, useful information on crop behaviour under extreme climatic conditions was obtained. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.