Dr Richard Jones

Dr. Richard Jones, an Associate Professor of Landscape History at the University of Leicester, explores the fascinating world of manure in medieval and Victorian times. He discusses how critical manure was for agriculture, the distinction between animal and human waste, and the economic implications of dung ownership. Jones reveals surprising attitudes towards excrement, from elite disdain to peasant pragmatism, and reflects on the evolution of sewage management and its modern implications. Listeners will find out why vacuum sewers never gained traction in Britain!