Norwich has been described as ‘the most religious city in late medieval Europe’.

Norwich is famous for its cathedral, friaries, richly decorated parish churches and, of course, its community of recluses headed by the internationally celebrated Dame Julian. The hermits who were then such a prominent feature of civic life seem, however, to have been largely forgotten, even though, as this talk will reveal, they enjoyed widespread support and respect. From Richard Furness, a charismatic priest with a circle of affluent and devoted female admirers, to Robert Goddard, who cleaned the ditches at St Stephen’s, they emerge as a fascinating cast of characters thanks to the survival of so much unparalleled documentary evidence.

Carole Rawcliffe is Professor Emeritus of Medieval History at the University of East Anglia. Carole is also a Member of The Norwich Society’s Publications Working Group and a regular contributor to Aspects of Norwich.

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