Anne Lawrence-Mathers

Anne Lawrence-Mathers is Professor in the Department of History at the University of Reading, specializing in medieval history with particular focus on magical traditions, astrology, and manuscript studies. Her research examines the intersection of science, magic, and society in medieval Europe, reconstructing historical understandings of the natural world through analysis of textual and material sources.

Her primary research interests include:

• Historical development of magical practices and beliefs
• Medieval astrology and prognostication
• Manuscript transmission and textual traditions
• Cultural perceptions of science and the supernatural
• History of medieval cosmology and meteorology

Professor Lawrence-Mathers has authored significant monographs including Magic and Medieval Society (2014) and The True History of Merlin the Magician (2012), which reframe scholarly understanding of magical traditions within their socio-cultural contexts. Her current project analyzes magical manuscripts as material artifacts of cultural exchange.

Her work combines meticulous archival research with innovative interdisciplinary approaches spanning history, literature, and anthropology. Publications demonstrate consistent focus on reconstructing medieval mentalities through analysis of understudied primary sources, establishing her as a leading authority in medieval magical traditions.