| Abstract | Paper -a:
In this paper I will offer a comparison between Thomas Aquinas' and Hervaeus Natalis' theory on the modality of heavenly bodies' action on the sublunary world. More precisely, through textual analysis I will show that Hervaeus' perspective turns out more deterministic than Thomas': for both of them, the effect resulting from the clash between the action of a heavenly body and an impediment in the sublunary world is not necessary; however, in contrast to Thomas, Hervaeus claims that the impediment itself is a necessary effect of the movement of heavenly bodies which are moved by separate intelligences.
Paper -b:
A large interest in meteorology in 13th and 14th centuries is witnessed by translations and vulgarizations of Aristotle's Meteorologica. Dante's works show a deep knowledge of Aristotle's theories, but, in addition, they suggest a thorough observation of atmospheric phenomena and a knowledge going much beyond Aristotle's natural philosophy; in particular, the relationships between meteo-climatic conditions and farmer's work, or plant growth, are used in metaphors and at the same time enlighten his interest in natural sciences. Dante's use of meteorology and climatology in Commedia and Rime, are compared with the dominant climatological trends of his age, as reported by Dante's time chronicles and agricultural treatises.
Paper -c:
The so-called Journal of the clerk and merchant Jean Aubrion (c. 1440-1501) is considered one of the most important narrative sources on the history of the Free City of Metz in the Late Middle Ages. In more than 35 years, the author wrote almost 1,800 entries, mainly on political, diplomatic and administrative matters, but almost 20 percent of them also contain notes on weather and environmental conditions. These are not only a unique source for the climatic history of the Moselle region during the 15th century, but also provide important information on the cultural history of late medieval Lorraine.
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