Book of The Civilized Man - The Poem

The Poem

Civilized Man is a 3,000 line Latin verse poem that gives proper advice on a wide range of social situations the typical medieval person may encounter in day to day life.

Examples include:

• 'If you wish to belch, remember to look up to the ceiling.'
• 'Do not attack your enemy while he is squatting to defecate.'
• 'If there is something you do not want people to know, do not tell it to your wife.'
• 'Say thank you to your host.'
• 'Don't mount your horse in the hall.'
• 'If visitors had already eaten, give them drink anyway.'
• 'Loosen your reins when riding over a bridge.'
• 'Receive gifts from great men with gratitude.'
• 'If you are a judge, be just.'
• 'Eating at the table of the rich, speak little.'

• The book ends with 'Old King Henry first gave to the uncourtly the teaching written in this book.'