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

 

A surprising look at how medieval etiquette can improve our lives today, from Daniėle Cybulskie, 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 handwashing 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 Daniele 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.” 

Illustrated with original drawings by Anna Lobanova as well as eighty medieval artworks, 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:

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

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

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

More From Daniėle Cybulskie: 

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 purpose in their lives. . . Though modern-day readers might not want to fully embrace the monastic life, they can benefit from such practices as meditation, making peace with their pasts, and practicing gratitude. —Library Journal

This is a brilliant concept, beautifully delivered. . . told with great knowledge, 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 antidote to the stresses of modern life — Charles Spencer, historian and best-selling author of Killers of the King and The White Ship

About Daniėle:

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

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

We look forward to the coverage!