Comment elles se doyvent contenir : règles de conduite et codes gestuels dans le Livre du Chevalier de La Tour Landry pour l’enseignement de ses filles

Abstract

Written in 1371–1372, the Livre du Chevalier de La Tour Landry pour l’enseignement de ses filles presents itself as a manual of good conduct addressed to young women of noble birth. In the prologue, the author emphasizes the link between good birth and faultless behaviour. Crucial in order to acquire a good reputation, conduct is described throughout the book thanks to a specific vocabulary which reveals the importance of appearances in this type of social environment. It then appears that good behaviour necessarily results from strict control of the body and respect of a gestual code. Indeed, in the medieval nobiliary society, each gesture is submitted to a judgment and influences female reputation. The writer deals with several aspects of body language : looking and touching, amorous gestures, body care and gestures resulting from drunkenness. He thus undertakes to classify these various gestures and proposes to young women rules intended to protect their honour and enable their social integration.