Most environmental history research is primarily concerned with the modern period, which is the past 300 years or so. But increasingly medieval historians are interested in the interactions between human culture and the environment of the European Middle Ages. Until recently most of this research was documentary based but increasingly medievalists are turning to scientists to learn more about the environment and landscape than is possible from records. In order to facilitate collaborations the online Environmental History Network for the Middle Ages has been established.

In this episode, Dolly Jørgensen, a researcher at Umeå University in Sweden, explains what the new network is all about. Then she explores the main themes of medieval environmental history and talks about her own work on resource management and sanitation during the Middle Ages.

Music credit
“Cello Frevo” by short hopper
Available from ccMixter

Website mentioned in this podcast
Environmental History Network for the Middle Ages (ENFORMA)