Medieval manners: social etiquette in the Middle Ages

Medieval people are often portrayed in popular culture as being grubby and smelly, with few manners to recommend them. However, in reality, such uncouth behaviour would certainly have been frowned upon. Speaking with Emily Briffett, Danièle Cybulskie delves into the historical handbook to pull out some of the top tips on social etiquette from the Middle Ages – and explores why these rules and ideals were so important at the time.

(Ad) Danièle Cybulskie is the author of Chivalry and Courtesy: Medieval Manners for Modern Life (Abbeville Press, 2023). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chivalry-Courtesy-Medieval-Manners-Modern/dp/0789214695/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3ESD081ALMM7A&keywords=chivalry+and+courtesy&qid=1698924976&sprefix=chivalry+and+%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1&tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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