New Books in History Anne Lawrence-Mathers, "Medieval Meteorology: Forecasting the Weather from Aristotle to the Almanac" (Cambridge UP, 2019)
Aug 31, 2025
Anne Lawrence-Mathers, a Professor of History at the University of Reading, dives into the fascinating world of medieval weather forecasting. She discusses how the practice transformed from ancient philosophies to sophisticated almanacs in the Middle Ages. The conversation reveals the significant influence of Arabic scholarship on meteorological knowledge. Lawrence-Mathers also highlights the blending of cultural insights, demonstrating how astrology and astronomy shaped weather prediction methods that would influence future scientific advancements.
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Arabic Transmission Revived Meteorology
- Medieval meteorology drew substantially from Arabic translations and updates of classical Greek works, not just Latin Europe.
- Anne Lawrence-Mathers argues this cross-cultural transmission revived and transformed forecasting practices in Europe.
Sources And The Rise Of Almanacs
- Lawrence-Mathers used classical translations, Arabic scholarship, and digitized manuscripts to trace meteorological ideas through time.
- She emphasizes almanacs and weather records as key sources showing practical forecasting emerging by the 14th century.
Christian Reframing Of Classical Knowledge
- Early medieval thinkers like Isidore and Bede selectively adapted classical knowledge within a Christian worldview.
- They preserved useful classical ideas while reframing them for monastic and practical needs.
