The Origins of Courtliness: Civilizing Trends and the Formation of Courtly Ideals, 939-121

by C. Stephen Jaeger

Selected by Choice magazine as an Outstanding Academic Book

Argues that the origins of courtliness lie in the German courts, their courtier class, and the education for court service in the tenth and eleventh centuries.

Genres: Medieval History, History, Medieval, Nonfiction

340 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1985

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was with it right up to the conclusion, when Jaeger argued that while there is no evidence that women had any role in the civilizing process, that they must have been influential in encouraging courtliness in their menfolk because they required (apparently naturally) reservation and moderation in the behaviour of those around them. I seriously question the notion that female reserve and/or moderation is anything but a cultural acquisition that can (and indeed must) be historicized before fully understanding the female role in the development of the male performance of courtliness.

[Michael]

I heard this Jaeger guy was pretty cool.