Another freezing day here in the UK. But this is nothing compared to the severe Winters of the Little Ice Age. 

The Thames froze over, sometimes for months at a time; and, on some occasions the ice was so thick that frost fares would be held, with oxen roasted on the ice and laden carts could cross on the frozen river. 

Crop failures, cattle and sheep freezing to death in the fields occurred with such regularity that people starved. 

Thank goodness we have warmed up since then. Cold is the killer not a welcome mild warming.