The Good Wife's Guide (Le Ménagier de Paris): A Medieval Household Book
by Gina L. Greco, Christine M. Rose
Le Ménagier de Paris is a 14th-century household manual offering guidance on marriage, cooking, gardening, and moral behavior for a young wife. This expert translation by Gina L. Greco and Christine M. Rose illuminates medieval daily life, social norms, and domestic responsibilities in an engaging historical context.
About This Book
The Good Wife's Guide, originally known as Le Ménagier de Paris, is a 14th-century French text that serves as a practical manual for managing a medieval household. Authored by an elderly husband for his young wife, it covers a wide range of topics essential to daily life in the late Middle Ages.
Translated and edited by Gina L. Greco and Christine M. Rose, this edition brings the original content to modern readers, preserving its historical authenticity while making it accessible. The book reflects the social expectations and gender roles of its time, offering insights into medieval customs and etiquette.
From instructions on cooking and gardening to advice on moral conduct and entertainment, the guide provides a detailed look at the responsibilities of a noblewoman. It combines practical wisdom with didactic elements, blending real-world advice with allegorical tales.
This work stands as a valuable primary source for understanding medieval domesticity, family dynamics, and the role of women in society during the period.
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