Perceptions of Environmental Change in the Medieval World, session at 55th International Congress on Medieval Studies, Western Michigan University, May 7–10, 2020

Changing environments and changing climates have become defining features of our current historical moment. Meanwhile, recent scientific and historical scholarship has traced the outlines of climatic and environmental changes in the pre-modern world. Medievalists now have the opportunity to deepen the history of such change and responses to it, using all kinds of evidence, from new scientific data on pre-modern environments to medieval discourses on the natural world.

This session seeks papers presenting examples of how medieval people experienced, interpreted, and responded to changes (or perceived changes) in the non-human world. Submissions are invited from any region and period. Locally focused studies are particularly welcome, and cross- and inter- disciplinary approaches are encouraged.

Session sponsor
Environmental History Network for the Middle Ages (ENFORMA)

Session organizer
Abigail Agresta, George Washington University