'Welcome the coming and speed the parting guest': hospitality in twelfth-century England

The twelfth century saw a renewed interest in outward display and has been described as 'a new era in the history of manners'. The importance of exercising courtesy, and of controlling one's gestures and emotions in public would have had a bearing on the administration of hospitality. This was particularly important upon the guest's arrival and also on his departure, for it was important to make a first and lasting impression. It gave the guest and host a chance to demonstrate their courtliness and foster good relations, and for the host to exhibit his generosity and largesse of spirit. The prescriptive texts suggest that there was a clear concept of how these proceedings should be conducted, and that hospitality in Anglo-Norman England might be conducted with some formality.1