How to Behave Badly in Elizabethan England : a Guide for Knaves, Fools, Harlots, Cuckolds, Drunkards, Liars, Thieves, and Braggarts

Draws on advice manuals, court cases, and sermons to illustrate the social mores of the Elizabethan Era.;Offensive language, insolent behavior, slights, brawls, and scandals-- Elizabethan England was particularly rank with troublemakers. Goodman draws on advice manuals, court cases, and sermons to offer this colorfully crude portrait of offenses most foul. Readers will delight in learning how to time your impressions for the biggest laugh, why quoting Shakespeare was poor form, and why curses hurled at women were almost always about sex (and why we shouldn't be surprised). A celebration of one of history's naughtiest periods, when derision was an art form. -- adapted from jacket.;"Rowdy street gangs scouring taverns. Gentlewomen holding insolent eye contact. Drunkards wagging dirty fingers at the dinner table. Every age and social strata has its rule-breakers and nose-thumbers, but Elizabethan England had perhaps more than its fair share. As Ruth Goodman demonstrates in her raucous [book], these troublemakers reveal more than just rudeness; they can illuminate an era. Known for an erudite and immersive approach in her beloved previous volumes, How to Be a Victorian and How to Be a Tudor, Ruth Goodman stays true to form, cracking her knuckles and cheerfully embracing the naughty bits of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Drawing from advice manuals, court cases, and sermons, she offers a veritable how-to guide for both the cheeky and the downright cunning. Social mores of the era are revealed in fascinating detail, including why it was bad form to quote Shakespeare; why nose-blowing was disgusting, but spitting was acceptable; why curses hurled at women were almost always about sex (and why we shouldn't be surprised). Guiding us through a colorfully crude catalog of offenses most foul, Goodman delves into the tumultuous and fascinating period of Elizabethan history. For example, it was during this time that a new "brand of religion and non-religion" was born; democracy was evolving in areas such as voting, representation, and taxation; and a linguistic evolution spread through the streets and on the page. Despite a hierarchical and misogynistic social structure there was, at last, room for the brave--or the mischievous--to maneuver beyond his station. Indeed, Goodman shows that behind most of these quirky quips lurks a deeper lesson of Elizabethan England, its anxiety about class, confusion about faith, and all-consuming obsession with sex. With infectious charm and her signature eye for arresting detail, Ruth Goodman has written a celebration of one of history's most rambunctious periods, when derision was an art form."--Dust jacket.;Offensive speech -- Insolent, rude and threatening gestures -- Mockery -- Outright violence -- Disgusting habits -- Repulsive bodies -- The complete scoundrel. Offensive language, insolent behavior, slights, brawls, and scandals come alive in Ruth Goodman's uproarious history for mischievous Anglophiles. With this "impeccable" (BBC History) chronicle, acclaimed popular historian Ruth Goodman reveals a Renaissance Britain particularly rank with troublemakers. From snooty needlers who took aim with a cutting "thee," to lowbrow drunkards with revolting table manners, Goodman's "gleeful and illuminating" (Booklist, starred review) portrait of offenses most foul draws upon advice manuals, court cases, and sermons. Wicked readers will delight in learning why quoting Shakespeare was poor form, and why curses hurled at women were almost always about sex (no surprise there). "Accessible, fun, and historically accurate" (Publishers Weekly, starred review), How to Behave Badly is a celebration of one of history's naughtiest periods, when derision was an art form. "Oh, how I wish Ruth Goodman could be my tutor. But settling in for one of her history lessons is better than second best." — Alicia Becker, New York Times Book Review Draws On Advice Manuals, Court Cases, And Sermons To Illustrate The Social Mores Of The Elizabethan Era. Offensive Language, Insolent Behavior, Slights, Brawls, And Scandals-- Elizabethan England Was Particularly Rank With Troublemakers. Goodman Draws On Advice Manuals, Court Cases, And Sermons To Offer This Colorfully Crude Portrait Of Offenses Most Foul. Readers Will Delight In Learning How To Time Your Impressions For The Biggest Laugh, Why Quoting Shakespeare Was Poor Form, And Why Curses Hurled At Women Were Almost Always About Sex (and Why We Shouldn't Be Surprised). A Celebration Of One Of History's Naughtiest Periods, When Derision Was An Art Form. -- Adapted From Jacket. Offensive Speech -- Insolent, Rude And Threatening Gestures -- Mockery -- Outright Violence -- Disgusting Habits -- Repulsive Bodies -- The Complete Scoundrel. Ruth Goodman. First Published In Great Britain Under The Title How To Behave Badly In Renaissance Britain--title Page Verso. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Offensive language, insolent behavior, slights, brawls, and scandals come alive in Ruth Goodman's uproarious history. Every age and social strata has its bad eggs, rule-breakers, and nose-thumbers. As acclaimed popular historian and author of How to Be a Victorian Ruth Goodman shows in her madcap chronicle, Elizabethan England was particularly rank with troublemakers, from snooty needlers who took aim with a cutting "thee," to lowbrow drunkards with revolting table manners. Goodman draws on advice manuals, court cases, and sermons to offer this colorfully crude portrait of offenses most foul. Mischievous readers will delight in learning how to time your impressions for the biggest laugh, why quoting Shakespeare was poor form, and why curses hurled at women were almost always about sex (and why we shouldn't be surprised). Bringing her signature "exhilarating and contagious" enthusiasm (Boston Globe), this is a celebration of one of history's naughtiest periods, when derision... Every age and social strata has its bad eggs, rule-breakers, and nose-thumbers. As acclaimed popular historian and author of How to Be a Victorian Ruth Goodman shows in her madcap chronicle, Elizabethan England was particularly rank with troublemakers, from snooty needlers who took aim with a cutting thee, to lowbrow drunkards with revolting table manners. Goodman draws on advice manuals, court cases, and sermons to offer this colorfully crude portrait of offenses most foul. Mischievous readers will delight in learning how to time your impressions for the biggest laugh, why quoting Shakespeare was poor form, and why curses hurled at women were almost always about sex (and why we shouldnt be surprised). Bringing her signature exhilarating and contagious enthusiasm ( Boston Globe ), this is a celebration of one of historys naughtiest periods, when derision was an art form. Every age and social strata has its bad eggs, rule-breakers, and nose-thumbers. As acclaimed historian and author of How to Be a Victorian Ruth Goodman shows in her madcap chronicle, Elizabethan England was particularly rank with troublemakers - from snooty needlers who took aim with a cutting "'thee," to lowbrow drunkards with revolting table manners. Goodman draws on advice manuals, court cases, and sermons to offer this colorfully crude portrait of offenses most foul. Readers will delights in learning how to time impressions for the biggest laugh, why quoting Shakespeare was poor form, and why curses hurled at women were almost always about sex