The courtesies of country houses, according to what is heard (7)
I believe the answer is:
manners
'the courtesies' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both human attributes as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for manners that I've seen before include "people at station, perhaps" , "Etiquette" , "Courtesy" , "Politeness" , "Social conduct" .)