Medieval Climate Change
Since the first books on the Little Ice Age were published, scientists, historians and archaeologists have explored the shifts in medieval climate from the Roman Optimum to the heatwaves of the 21st century. We bring you an overview here of some of the best scholarship:
Volcanic Climate Forcing and the Emergence of the Black Death (c. 1345–1348)
28/12/2025Around 1345, volcanic eruptions led to famine. Following this, the import of grain increased, ultimately leading to the Black Death in Europe. Read more
Medieval Natural Disasters and Resilience
16/05/2025Natural disasters in the Middle Ages were met with resilience in a number of different ways: migration, rebuilding, re-settlements. Read more
The Dark Ages: Nature’s Comeback in the Netherlands
09/10/2024In the period known as the Dark Ages (c. 300 – 700 AD), woodlands staged a remarkable comeback across Europe, including the Netherlands. Read more
Icebergs in the Black Sea in AD 763
22/04/2024In AD 763 volcanic eruptions in Iceland caused Icebergs in the Black Sea and a nearly frozen Bosphorus causing widespread fear Read more
How can we Hide from Climate Changes?
08/02/2023What Happens During Rapid Climate Changes? What can we learn from History? Read more
Climate Changes in Pre-Viking Societies had Profound Consequences
21/02/2022Did climate changes in pre-Viking societies really matter? Did people adapt their agricultural strategies? Or were such changes just registered as temporarily “whacky weather” by the people of the past? Read more
Did Climate Change cause “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”?
08/12/2018The story of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is incresingly considered as a reflection of 4thcentury widespread draughts on the Eurasian Steppes, the wanderings of the Huns, and the forced migration of the Germans. Read more
Climate and Migrations in Early Medieval Germany
23/04/2017What role did the Early Medieval climate changes play in the creation of the post-Roman world? Did people migrate because of the cooling weather? Read more
Medieval Hilltop Villages and Castles in the Italian Landscape
31/03/2017The history behind the castle-building on hilltops in the medieval Mediterranean landscape – the incastellamento or incastellation – is nuanced Read more
Environment in the Classical and Medieval Worlds
19/11/2016Environmentalism covers the ancient idea that environments and climate influences our mentalities. New book offers an introduction Read more
The Great Transition in the Late Medieval World
13/08/2016New book by Bruce M. S. Campbell on the Great Transition from 13th to the 16th century promises to be the new bible in environmental history Read more
Syrian Drought Worst in 900 Years
12/08/2016The newly published Old World Drought Atlas was recently used to gauge the seriousness of the Syrian Draught, the like of which has not been seen for 900 years. Read more
The Double Volcanic Event in AD 536 and AD 540
21/04/2016Severe deterioration of living conditions in Scandinavia in the years’ AD 536 – 50 was caused by two volcanic explosions following each other Read more
What Impact Did Climate Have Upon Medieval History?
21/04/2016What impact did climate have on Medieval History? A new crop of studies help to explore the details of the linkage between migrations, wars and much more. Get the overview here Read more
Environmental Disasters in the Medieval Levant
20/04/2016BOOK REVIEW: Sarah Kate Raphael explores the interplay between the climate in Medieval Levant and the politics of crusading and warring in the region Read more
The Medieval Warm Period
19/04/2016The medieval warm period (AD 725 – 1025) was characterised by little solar activity and few volcanic eruptions. This resulted in climate stability and economic and demographic growth Read more