Nobles enjoy a feast in a 15th-century painting. As diners shared cups and plates, good hygiene was crucial
While I was growing up, “keep your elbows off the table” was a common refrain at dinner time. But, as I learned in our recent podcast episode with medieval historian and author Danièle Cybulskie, such reprimands have a long history – harking all the way back to the Middle Ages.
In the medieval period, manners “were almost more important than they are today”, explained Cybulskie. They were particularly prized by social climbers, because a firm grasp of etiquette was a way of standing out from the crowd: “It showed you were sophisticated and educated, and ready to hang out with the most important people of the day.”
But what would have ingratiated you with a medieval host, and what kinds of social faux pas would have ensured that you were never invited back? According to Cybulskie, practising good hygiene was key, particularly when it came to the dinner table. In this era, dining was a much more intimate experience than it is today. When sharing a meal with a dining partner, you would also be sharing cups and plates.