In every era, among rulers and ordinary people there have always been provocateurs and scoundrels - those who broke the rules and set a bad example for people. And, according to the author, it is their behavior that provides the key to understanding how our society functions. This book is a brilliant and fascinating study of the world of the Tudor and Stuart eras, in which you will find answers to the most unexpected questions: How to choose the perfect insult to create problems for yourself and those around you? Why can quoting Shakespeare be not only inappropriate, but also completely unacceptable? How to alienate a person by simply showing him the inside of your hat? What are the best ways to mock a preacher, a soldier, or just a neighbor? Plunge into the daring world Elizabethan England!