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Here for the History · September 10 · 34 min

Where Do Manners Come From?

Ben Henderson and Alice Loxton explore how Renaissance books on courtly conduct inspired an era of civility. They untangle the 18th century age of politeness, and we’ll find out how the Victorians shaped the way we behave today. But are manners getting worse? Key Sources: Sorry! The English and Their Manners - Henry Hitchings. In Pursuit of Civility: Manners and Civilization in Early Modern England - Keith Thomas. Thomas Hoby’s translation of Castiglione’s Book of the Courtier - Mary Partridge, The Historical Journal. The Duel in Early Modern England - Markku Peltonen. In Our Time, Politeness - BBC Radio 4.

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Ben Henderson and Alice Loxton explore how Renaissance books on courtly conduct inspired an era of civility.

They untangle the 18th century age of politeness, and we’ll find out how the Victorians shaped the way we behave today.

But are manners getting worse?

Key Sources:

Sorry! The English and Their Manners - Henry Hitchings. In Pursuit of Civility: Manners and Civilization in Early Modern England - Keith Thomas. Thomas Hoby’s translation of Castiglione’s Book of the Courtier - Mary Partridge, The Historical Journal. The Duel in Early Modern England - Markku Peltonen. In Our Time, Politeness - BBC Radio 4.

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