Chivalry and Courtesy

Medieval Manners for a Modern World

By: Danièle Cybulskie

Narrated by: Danièle Cybulskie

A surprising look at how medieval etiquette can improve our lives today, from the author of the popular How to Live Like a Monk

Medieval people are often portrayed as having poor hygiene and table manners—licking their knives or throwing chicken bones on the floor. In the Middle Ages, however, such behavior was not tolerated. Medieval society cherished order in nearly every facet of life, from regular hand-washing to daily prayer. There were consequences if you didn’t adhere to the rules of good behavior: you wouldn’t be invited to the lord’s next dinner, you wouldn’t win the battle, and you wouldn’t win the lady.

Author Danièle Cybulskie explores the world of medieval etiquette, encompassing table manners and interpersonal relationships as well as running a household and ruling a kingdom. With wit and insight, Cybulskie draws on a wide variety of primary sources, from handbooks for young knights to romantic poems. Though we may no longer need best practices for things like dueling or ordering about our servants, the principles of generosity, kindness, and respect still apply today. After all, it’s a good reminder to “not talk when you have food in your mouth” and “anything you say should be entertaining, polite, and sophisticated.”

Chivalry and Courtesy is full of good advice for everyone, whether you are a peasant or a knight, a student or a CEO, a king or a queen.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Text (C) Danièle Cybulskie and Compilation (C) Abbeville Press (P)2023 Text (C) Danièle Cybulskie and Compilation (C) Abbeville Press

Highly detailed for such a compact book…

I’m a huge fan of The Medieval Podcast and I love how Danièle Cybulskie brought her unique voice to this book. She delves into the details and habits of medieval life that get overlooked in larger surveys.

Boring - not sure what the format is supposed to be

This is sort of a reading of different manuals on manners with awkward occasional comparisons to the modern. Would have been much better with more research where the author could have compared the manuals with real examples or period stories.