Carole Rawcliffe

In this engaging discussion, Professor Carole Rawcliffe, a preeminent scholar of medieval urban history, uncovers the vibrant yet gritty reality of daily life in medieval British towns. She debunks myths of rampant filth and violence, revealing surprisingly clean urban centers and the role of bathhouses. From culinary delights and communal dining to the bustling marketplace traffic, she explores how residents navigated their surroundings. Rawcliffe also sheds light on timekeeping methods and the essential contributions of immigrants, painting a vivid picture of this fascinating era.

Guests Rachel Kowalski, a pediatric emergency physician and fiction writer, and Joshna Maharaj, a food activist, explore the disconnection between hospitality and modern hospitals. They discuss how lack of comfort impacts patient dignity, while Carol Rawcliffe and Kevin Siena reveal medieval hospitals’ roots in care and community. Maureen Lux highlights the troubling history of segregated healthcare for Indigenous peoples. The conversation culminates in envisioning culturally safe spaces and healing food practices for all patients.