No Ordinary Deaths

Dr Molly Conisbee is a social historian and visiting research fellow at the Centre for Death and Society at the University of Bath. She has spent the last 10 years researching the social history of death and mourning.

The art of 'dying well' was common knowledge to our ancestors - who, living closer to death than we do, - had an intimate and integrated relationship with the afterlife. For centuries, cycles of death, dying and disposal have shaped society, from the death-watchers of the Middle Age to the pomp of Victorian funeral wear. Ranging from the plague pit to the grave-robber, from consecrated ground to the hangman's drop, No Ordinary Deaths is a groundbreaking work of social history which asks: how did our ancestors live, and die? How might the old ways help prepare us for our own ends?

Molly’s book will be available to purchase after the talk.

Booking opens to members on Friday 8 January 2027. Seats are free to members.

Booking opens to the public on Monday 11 January 2027. Seats are £5 plus £0.75 booking fee.