Why historical locations can remain uncertain

At Trafalgar, more than sixty ships recorded their positions with navigation less accurate than modern methods. Their latitude and longitude records therefore contain small discrepancies, although those differences do not greatly alter the battle's broad location. Older land battles can be harder to locate precisely, with Hastings offered as an example. Urban history poses similar questions. Historians have a fairly good idea where the bakery associated with the Great Fire of London stood, but the location is not certain. A familiar place name can therefore hide unresolved questions about where an event began or unfolded.