Going to the Privy in the Mediaeval Era - with archaeologist James Wright

Explore the wold of medieval lavatories with buildings archaeologist James Wright!

Going to the toilet is an everyday event for literally everyone that has ever lived. However, there has been a prudish reticence among architectural specialists to research and present the archaeology of this apparently ordinary practice.

Despite this, there is a wealth of data which can be drawn upon to explain the latrinal habits of people in the mediaeval period.

This data is not just limited to the functional – Where in the building were the privies located? What did they look like? How they were kept clean? There are a whole host of other considerations: What were the mediaeval attitudes towards going to the toilet? Who was allowed to access the garderobe? What were the social implications of doing so? How were privies used to promote notions of elite prestige?

This talk will plumb all of these depths…

About the speaker:

James Wright is an award-winning buildings archaeologist. He has two decades professional experience of ferreting around in people’s cellars, hunting through their attics and digging up their gardens.

He hopes to find meaningful truths about how ordinary and extraordinary folk lived their lives in the mediaeval period.

PLEASE NOTE - THIS EVENT WILL NOT BE RECORDED (!)

Please note this is going to be a Zoom webinar. You will be able to ask James questions through the online Q&A.

All those who book will be sent a link to join in an email from the library prior to the event.

Thank you particularly to those who choose to make a donation to the library – we use donations to support our events programme, which aims to bring you varied, interesting, high-quality events and speakers.

We look forward to welcoming you!