Self-Help, Medieval Style

I haven’t forgotten Lady D’s Bedside Table post, but my bedside table (actually, my chairside table) is a wee bit dull at the moment. And it’s too hot to write a serious post. So here goes. I was in the bookstore the other day (how often do I say that, by the way?) when I noticed on the shelf a self-help book called How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less. Naturally, that made me think, “Wouldn’t it be nice if they had such books in medieval England?” So hence, here’s a list of real self-help books, with their ideal readers:

Family Healing: Strategies for Hope and Understanding: Henry II
When I Say No, I Feel Guilty: Edward II
Mr. Right Is Out There: The Gay Man’s Guide to Finding and Maintaining Love: Piers Gaveston
Be a Real Estate Millionaire: Secret Strategies to Lifetime Wealth Today: Hugh le Despenser the younger
Your Perfect Right: A Guide to Assertive Living: Roger Mortimer
The Dance of Intimacy: A Woman’s Guide to Courageous Acts of Change in Key Relationships: Isabella
When Parents Disagree and What You Can Do About It: Edward III
The Mystery Method: How to Get Beautiful Women Into Bed: Edward IV
How to Get Married . . . Again: Elizabeth Woodville (yes, you precontract believers can say it: Edward IV might find this one useful as well)
The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be: Richard III
Dare to Win: Henry Tudor
Saving Your Second Marriage Before It Starts: Nine Questions to Ask Before (and After) You Remarry: Henry VIII
And while we’re on the topic, I got a great chuckle out of this link when searching for titles for this post:
Got any titles to add?

7 thoughts on “Self-Help, Medieval Style”

  1. “The Mystery Method: How to Get Beautiful Women Into Bed: Edward IV”
    Edward IV didn’t need to read that one, he could have written it – if he’d had the time.
    Great list 🙂

  2. How to Kick the Romans’s Asses in Ten Easy Steps. Arminius

    The Use of Chariots in Warfare, Especially on Hills. Calgacus

    How to Build the Most Magnificient City on the Ruins of an Old One. Nero

    Overcoming Speech Impediments. Cla-Cla-Claudius

    The Proper Treatment of Horses As Members of the Family. Caligula

  3. Great list :-)!

    How about:

    Who Moved My Cheese? – Ed II’s cook

    How to Win Friends and Influence People – Hugh the younger

    The Other Side of the Closet: The Coming Out Crisis For Straight Spouses and Familes – Eleanor Despenser and Isabella

    There When He Needs You: How to Be an Available, Involved, and Emotionally Connected Father to Your Son

    There When He Needs You: How to Be an Available, Involved, and Emotionally Connected Father to Your Son – Edward I

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