Norwich remained the second largest city in England until the eighteenth century. Its history over the last 450 years is of exceptional interest. Norwich since 1550 is a full account of the post medieval history of the city and covers all aspects of Norwich life, including its population, housing, churches and chapels, politics, work, education, arts, architecture and medical card. While it changed and developed in many ways over the centuries, its textiles could not compete with those of the northern boom towns of the Industrial Revolution. Instead it settled into its role as a regional and banking capital.
Carole Rawcliffe was an editor on the History of Parliament Trust (1979-92) before becoming a Senior Wellcome Trust Research Fellow at UEA (1992-7). She was made Reader in the History of Medicine (1997-2002) and Professor of Medieval History (2002).
Her research focuses upon the theory and practice of medicine in medieval England, with particular emphasis upon hospitals, the interconnection between healing and religion, and urban health. As editor of The History of Norwich (2004), she maintains an interest in the East Anglian region, and has written extensively on its medical provision. Her most recent book, Leprosy in Medieval England (2006), is a study of medieval responses to disease. She is currently investigating concepts of health and welfare before the Reformation.