Deception in the Middle Ages...
This is a side-note (and the article is behind a login wall) but this is an article about how references were "coded" with careful hints so that the recipient might get a different impression about the person carrying the recommendation than might be apparent from the words on the surface:
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Edit, addition: I just found another copy on JSTOR:
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I don't know if this gives any insight on why things might be encoded in the Middle Ages but at least it provides some insight into how they thought and how they dealt with uncomfortable social interactions.
This is a side-note (and the article is behind a login wall) but this is an article about how references were "coded" with careful hints so that the recipient might get a different impression about the person carrying the recommendation than might be apparent from the words on the surface:
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
Edit, addition: I just found another copy on JSTOR:
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view.
I don't know if this gives any insight on why things might be encoded in the Middle Ages but at least it provides some insight into how they thought and how they dealt with uncomfortable social interactions.