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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)
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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- rebecca t.
- 21-04-20
Queen Ruth at her Best!!!
i honestly just love Ruth Goodman, she is one of a group of educated women I find inspiring and infectious. This book showcases her talents; not just as a writer of history but as a reader and enthusiastic storyteller able to bring the past to life eloquently and flawlessly.
I found myself sounding out insults and living in a world full of debauchery and fun as I realised our medieval counterparts are just like us! Fiery and passionate and motivated by the same angers and frustrations.
I loved this book, it is beautifully delivered!
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5 people found this helpful
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- Narny
- 15-09-21
informative and entertaining
Ruth Goodman is so enthusiastic with this topic and it really shows in her reading of the book.
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- Scott Barnes
- 25-01-22
Loved it!
This was a fun, engaging and humerus look into behaving badly in renaissance Britain and it didn’t disappoint on any level. Ruth went into detail and outlined many aspects of life in that period and her personality shines throughout the book.
Most importantly, Ruth narrates it perfectly. It doesn’t even sound like someone who is reading a book, but she sounds so familiar with what she’s saying that it comes across very natural and casual for her. She is the perfect narrator for her own work because you hear that enthusiasm she puts into her writing.
As a result of that, you have one of my favourite books I’ve listened to on Audible, it was wonderful!
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- Amy
- 30-10-21
loved this
some slightly over long/dull sections entirely saved by Ruth's presentation. You can tell when a book is being read by someone genuinely engaged in the topic and interested, and this is a prime example.
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- teresa mullally
- 22-05-20
interesting
i really enjoyed this book Ruth's enthusiasm is contagious. Ruth's narration is wonderful! a great look at manners and society in the renaissance.
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