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How to Behave Badly in Renaissance Britain
- Narrated by: Ruth Goodman
- Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
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How to Behave Badly in Renaissance Britain
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Summary
Contains an exclusive Q&A with the author, Ruth Goodman.
Historian and popular TV presenter Ruth Goodman offers up a history of offensive language, insulting gestures, insolent behaviour, brawling and scandal in the 16th and 17th centuries - with practical tips on just how to horrify the neighbours.
From royalty to peasantry, every age has its bad eggs, those who break all the rules and rub everyone up the wrong way. But their niggling, antisocial and irritating ways tell us about not only what upset people but also what mattered to them, how their society functioned and what kind of world they lived in.
In this brilliantly nitty-gritty exploration of real life in the Tudor and Stuart age, you will discover:
- How to choose the perfect insult, whether it be draggletail, varlet, flap, saucy fellow, strumpet, ninny-hammer or stinkard
- Why quoting Shakespeare was very poor form
- The politics behind men kissing each other on the lips
- Why flashing the inside of your hat could repulse someone
- The best way to mock accents, preachers, soldiers and pretty much everything else besides
Ruth Goodman draws upon advice books and manuals, court cases and sermons, drama and imagery to outline bad behaviour from the gauche to the galling, the subtle to the outrageous. It is a celebration of drunkards, scolds, harridans and cross-dressers in a time when calling a man a fool could get someone killed and cursing wasn't just rude - it worked!
Critic reviews
"Ruth is the queen of living history - long may she reign!" (Lucy Worsley)
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What listeners say about How to Behave Badly in Renaissance Britain
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- Miss Helen R White
- 18-08-20
Excellent, Ruth at her best!
I love Ruth's work she really brings history alive. I love the real world references from the normal people of the era. You could tell that she really enjoyed the subject too, I'm sad that the book is over I will definitely be listening to it again!
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- Anni
- 27-03-21
so good!
I knew and the opening sentence of this book that I would enjoy it immensely, and I certainly wasn't disappointed!
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2 people found this helpful
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- Derek Croucher
- 21-09-19
Fascinating
If you have any interest at all in how people muddled through their lives, rich and poor alike from the renaissance period, this book is a must. Shocking, hilarious and informative. Ruth clearly is very knowledgable and a true enthusiast. Excellent.
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- Ivan Minyawi
- 16-05-21
Fascinating, really recommended.
Fascinating, really recommended.
one, two, three, four, five, six .... pointless minimum word count for review.
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1 person found this helpful
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- C. Rae
- 12-03-22
Fascinating Insults During The Renaissance
You can tell that Ruth is thoroughly fascinated and entertained by the Renaissance period that you can't help but join her. How to not to make friends and influence people back in the day. 😅
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- Terry M.
- 29-11-20
Fascinating revelation of behaviour in Renaissance England
Brilliantly presented by the author, who has unbounded enthusiasm for the subject and time in history
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- J. LoVecchio
- 05-01-21
fascinating and funny
I found this fascinating and so many little insights into everyday lives and languages! Made me laugh aloud in places. Very enjoyable
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- WinnyWishes
- 13-12-20
for those who wish to get the most out of ....
historical fiction, over the years I've see Ruth in many tv programmes and her knowledge has always impressed me. I started listening to the the Outlander books and came across this in the other titles you may like list and loved it, I listen as I work and it was great, for once they got it right 100%.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Suzanne H.
- 17-09-21
Brilliant
Loved it! Ruth Goodman is passionate about her subject and that is reflected in her performance. She also has a lovely speaking voice, which all makes it a very good listen. Very entertaining, and her comparisons between then and now bring everything right up to date. Interested in finding more of her audiobooks.
One thing though, why the repetition of intro and some interview questions right at the end??
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- Rosie Bill
- 18-01-23
Brilliant
I love all her books, I learn so much and they are fun. Definitely recommend
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