Caxton's Book of Curtesye

A doorway to the past, opened with modern care. Caxton's Book Of Curtesye invites readers into a world where honour, courtesy and speech shape daily life as surely as sword and shield once did. Frederick J. Furnivall's edition gathers a medieval etiquette manual and a companion chivalric poetry collection into a complete edition that speaks to both the curious reader and the serious scholar. The book's strength lies in its form and themes: practical guidance on manners, knightly conduct, and courtly behaviour interwoven with verse that reveals late medieval England's social codes and ideals. It is essential reading for those exploring early English didactic literature and the enduring ideals of etiquette, as well as for readers of etiquette seeking a richer historical perspective. Historically, the text offers a tangible link to the Caxton era, illuminating fifteenth century England and the culture surrounding print, manuscript culture, and the transmission of moral instruction. Its significance extends beyond nostalgia: it is a cornerstone for understanding how medieval communities taught restraint, respect, and social ritual. Alpha Editions' republication is not merely a reprint. Out of print for decades, it has been restored for today's and future generations, preserving a cultural treasure for both casual readers and classic-literature collectors alike. It is a true collector's item-more than a book, a preserved doorway to a centuries-old code of courtesy and manners.