Sarah Kerr – författare

The rich and the poor in the UK are subject to radically different legislative approaches. While the behaviours of the poor are relentlessly scrutinised, those of the rich are ignored or enabled. In this book, Sarah Kerr suggests that we live in a state of ‘wealtherty’, characterised by the hyper-concentration of wealth and a stark distinction between the rich and the rest. Drawing on evidence from the 1500s onwards, she reveals a long history of government scrutiny of the poor and ignorance of the rich. She contests contemporary policy and practice which disregards the enduring role of the rich in the production of poverty and poverty in the production of the rich. In pursuit of social and economic justice, this radical book challenges policy makers and researchers to stop talking about poverty and to start addressing the problems caused by wealtherty.

The rich and the poor in the UK are subject to radically different legislative approaches. While the behaviours of the poor are relentlessly scrutinised, those of the rich are ignored or enabled. In this book, Sarah Kerr suggests that we live in a state of ‘wealtherty’, characterised by the hyper-concentration of wealth and a stark distinction between the rich and the rest. Drawing on evidence from the 1500s onwards, she reveals a long history of government scrutiny of the poor and ignorance of the rich. She contests contemporary policy and practice which disregards the enduring role of the rich in the production of poverty and poverty in the production of the rich. In pursuit of social and economic justice, this radical book challenges policy makers and researchers to stop talking about poverty and to start addressing the problems caused by wealtherty.

This book draws on architectural and archaeological analysis to consider the form, function, use and meaning of late medieval lodging ranges.While we know a great deal about most elements of the late medieval great house, we understand very little about their lodging ranges, and even less on their contributions to the lived experience of the household and wider society. Why were lodging ranges built, for example, and how were they used? It is this gap in our knowledge which the present book aims to fill. It draws on archaeological and architectural analysis of lodging ranges to show that they were some of the finest living spaces within the great house, built as accommodation for high-ranking members of the household. Their low-, even single-, occupancy rooms, accessible via individual doors, were innovatory, showing how the idea of privacy developed. The explicit displays of uniformity upon the lodging ranges' symmetrical facades were juxtaposed with variations within.Surviving lodging ranges (including Wingfield Manor, Middleham Castle and Dartington Hall) are examined, alongside the lost example of Caister Castle, demonstrating how lodging ranges simultaneously reflected and shaped medieval life; the author argues that their very form and stones, and their manipulation of space, enabled them to have multi-faceted functions, including the representation of multiple and even conflicting identities.

The British Lighthouse Trail by Sarah Kerr is a beautifully illustrated guide to the historic lighthouses of Britain and the rich maritime heritage they represent. Covering more than 600 lighthouses across Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, this comprehensive book combines fascinating history, striking photography, and practical travel advice for coastal explorers and heritage enthusiasts alike.From the dramatic cliffs of Shetland’s Muckle Flugga to the tranquil beauty of Jersey’s Corbière, the book takes readers on a journey around Britain’s most iconic coastal landmarks. It explores the evolution of lighthouse technology, from early warning beacons to sophisticated automated navigation systems, while highlighting the engineering brilliance of renowned lighthouse builders such as the Stevenson family.Ideal for travellers, photographers, maritime history enthusiasts, and lovers of the British coastline, The British Lighthouse Trail offers an engaging insight into the architecture, history, and enduring importance of these coastal sentinels. Richly illustrated and highly accessible, it is both a practical lighthouse guide and a celebration of Britain’s seafaring legacy.