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Toilets through time: medieval privies

Toilets through time: medieval privies

David Musgrove and historian James Wright revisit the dark and dangerous world of medieval latrines

Dr David Musgrove, FSA

Published: November 19, 2025 at 7:00 AM

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Why were medieval monks so afraid of going to the loo? In the second episode of our mini-series Toilets Through Time, David Musgrove heads into the dark and dangerous world of medieval latrines on a quest to find out. Helping him navigate the risks of fire, filth and eternal damnation that came with paying a visit in the Middle Ages is author, architectural archaeologist and medieval myth-buster James Wright.

Authors

Dr David Musgrove, FSAContent director

David Musgrove is the content director at HistoryExtra

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