"Daughters, don't be like the tortoise or the crane, which turn their faces and their heads above their shoulders, winding their heads here and there like a weathervane. Instead, hold yourselves steadfast like the hare, a beast that always looks in front of him without turning his head all about. Always look directly in front of you and if you must look to the side, turn your face and your body together, holding yourself firm and sure,"
"After leaving the bath, let her adorn her hair, and first of all let her wash it with a cleanser such as this. Take ashes of burnt vine, the chaff of barley nodes, and licorice wood (so that it may the more brightly shine), and sowbread... with this cleanser let the woman wash her head. After the washing, let her leave it to dry by itself, and her hair will be golden and shimmering..."
Medieval writers recorded advice for many everyday matters, from posture and personal grooming to courtship and animal care. Practical instructions include how maidens should hold their heads, recipes for washing and darkening hair using ashes and lizard oil, and conversational etiquette advising men to let women speak first. The guidance mixes pragmatic household tips, hygiene techniques, and behavioral norms with curious or superstitious remedies. Many remedies rely on readily available materials and symbolic associations. The advice reveals social expectations, gender roles, and the blend of folk knowledge and learned medicine in medieval daily life.
Read at Medievalists.net
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