This subject has received considerable attention over the last 10-15 years. The purpose of this session is to bring together paleoclimatologists working on higher-resolution proxy information and climate modellers simulating the period. Emphasis will be given to presentations of the regional and seasonal detail (particularly for Europe) in both reconstructions (single and multi-proxy) and climate model output. The importance of a reliable knowledge of forcing histories (both global and regional aspects) within the modelling framework will also be addressed.