Chivalry and Courtesy: Medieval Manners for a Modern World, by Daniėle Cybulskie

 

A surprising look at how medieval etiquette can improve ourlives today, from Daniėle Cybulskie, authorof the popular How to Live Like a Monk

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

AuthorDaniele Cybulskie explores the world of medieval etiquette, encompassing tablemanners and interpersonal relationships as well as running a household andruling a kingdom. With wit and insight, Cybulskie draws on a wide variety ofprimary sources, from handbooks for young knights to romantic poems. Though wemay no longer need best practices for things like dueling or ordering about ourservants, the principles of generosity, kindness, and respect still applytoday. After all, it’s a good reminder to “not talk when you have food in yourmouth” and “anything you say should be entertaining, polite, andsophisticated.” 

Illustratedwith original drawings by Anna Lobanova as well as eighty medievalartworks, Chivalry and Courtesy isfull of good advice for everyone, whether you are a peasant or a knight, astudent or a CEO, a king or a queen:

“Playful, learned, and bursting with golden nuggets ofinformation—a joyful book that shows us how medieval history still matters insurprising ways.” —Dan Jones, New York Times best-selling author and presenterof Netflix’s Secrets of Great British Castles 

“Daniele Cybulskie has done it again: no one is better atbringing the medieval world to life. . . . There’s so much to learn from theMiddle Ages, and this wonderful book—supremely elegant, witty, expert, andwise— is the ideal guide.”” —Helen Castor, author of She-Wolves and Joan ofArc 

“A must read for anyone who wants to brush up on the finerpoints of etiquette, or who just wants to be a better human being.” —EleanorJanega, author of The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women’s Roles inSociety

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This beautifully illustrated self-help guide .. . reimagines monastic practices to help readers live with greater peace,simplicity, and purpose.— Publishers Weekly

Cybulskie relates how people today can. . . find peace, simplicity, and purposein their lives. . . Though modern-day readers might not want to fully embracethe monastic life, they can benefit from such practices as meditation, makingpeace with their pasts, and practicing gratitude. —Library Journal

This is a brilliant concept, beautifully delivered. . . told with greatknowledge, with a view to passing on lessons learnt many hundreds of years ago,but still so relevant today. ­This highly original work is the perfect antidoteto the stresses of modern life — Charles Spencer, historian and best-sellingauthor of Killers of the King and The White Ship

About Daniėle:

Danièle Cybulskie is the author of How toLive Like a Monk (Abbeville), Life in Medieval Europe, and The Five-MinuteMedievalist. She is the creator and host of The Medieval Podcast andExtraMedieval, and is a contributor to Medievalists.net

To request additional review copies or aninterview with Danièle,please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity:mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.   

Welook forward to the coverage!