Printed by William Caxton around 1477, this poem of advice is addressed to little John, a well-born child learning how to live. It covers prayers on rising, clean hands and a spotless towel, table manners, speech, dress and the reading of Chaucer, Gower and Lydgate; Frederick Furnivall’s edition sets Caxton’s text beside manuscript versions.
A charming window on medieval upbringing for readers of Middle English and anyone curious about manners five centuries ago. Download the free EPUB.