Palaeomagnetic inclination records are demonstrated for the first time to be repeatable between lakes. These magnetic variations can now be interpreted with confidence as being a true geomagnetic record. New radiocarbon age determinations refine the time scale of secular changes recorded in Britain over the last 104 years. The paired D I magnetic measurements form a detailed master curve of 23 features for dating European sediments. The improved records and time scale show that neither the declination nor inclination fluctuations have been periodic. Tight or clockwise looping of the geomagnetic vector has been dominant over Britain since 10,000 B.P.