The Shepherd of Banbury's Rules to Judge of the Changes of the Weather, Grounded on Forty Years' Experience

A modest shepherd from Banbury spent four decades watching the sky, the fields, and the creatures that share his pasture, turning everyday observations into a surprisingly systematic guide to forecasting the weather. His notes blend plain‑spoken anecdotes—such as a cat’s face‑wash or the chatter of swallows—with clear explanations of how wind, humidity, and temperature interact, offering listeners a window into a time when practical experience and emerging science walked hand in hand.

The work also surveys the early tools of meteorology, from rudimentary thermometers to the subtle cues of candle flames, showing how the shepherd balanced folk wisdom with the latest thinking of his era. Readers will find a thoughtful, almost conversational treatise that invites anyone curious about how ordinary signs can hint at days of rain, snow, or sunshine, all grounded in the keen eyes of a man whose livelihood depended on the heavens.