Medieval Writings on Female Spirituality
ISBN 9780140439250 | 320 pages | 28 May 2002 | Penguin Classics | 5.07 x 7.79in | 18 - AND UP
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Biographies, poetic compositions, works that are mystical, prophetic, visionary, or meditative: the selections here reflect the developments in medieval piety, particularly in the link between female spirituality and the body. Included are the dramatic visionary writings of Hildegard of Bingen; letters and poems by Hadewijch expressing passionate love for God; and Marguerite Porete's allegorical poem "The Mirror of Simple Souls," a dialogue between Love and Soul that was condemned as heretical. Also included are biographies written by male ecclesiastics of women such as Christine the Astonishing, whose extraordinary behavior included being resurrected at her own funeral; revelations received by Bridget of Sweden, the first woman to found a religious order; and excerpts from The Book of Margery Kempe, in which Margery imagines herself as a servant caring for the Virgin Mary in her childhood.
Edited with an Introduction and Notes by Elizabeth Spearing
This volume, edited by Elizabeth Spearing, who also prepared some of the translations, features a rich introduction to the lives and religious experiences of its subjects, as well as full explanatory notes. Introduction by Elizabeth Spearing Suggestions for Further Reading Acknowledgments and a Note on the Texts Abbreviations
Hildegard of Bingen Extracts from the Vita (translated by Peter Dronke) Extracts from a Letter to Guibert de Gembloux (translated by Peter Dronke) Extracts from Scivias (translated by Mother Columba Hart and Jane Bishop)
Christina of Markyate Extracts from The Life of Christina of Markyate (translated by C.H. Talbot)
Hadewijch Extracts from the Letters (translated by Mother Columba Hart) Extracts from the Poems in Stanzas (translated by Mother Columba Hart) Extracts from the Visions (translated by Mother Columba Hart)
Christine the Astonishing The Life of St. Christine the Astonishing (translated by Elizabeth Spearing)
Mary of Oignies Extracts from The Life of St. Mary of Oignies (translated by Elizabeth Spearing)
Elizabeth of Spaalbeek The Life of St. Elizabeth of Spaalbeek (translated by Elizabeth Spearing)
Marguerite Porete Extracts from The Mirror of Simple Souls (translated by A.C. Spearing)
Bridget of Sweden Extracts from the Liber Celestis (translated by Elizabeth Spearing)
Julian of Norwich Extracts from Revelations of Divine Love (Short Text) (translated by Elizabeth Spearing) Extracts from Revelations of Divine Love (Long Text) (translated by Elizabeth Spearing)
Anonymous A Revelation of Purgatory (translated by Elizabeth Spearing)
Margery Kempe Extracts from the The Book of Margery Kempe (Book I) (translated by B.A. Windeatt) Notes
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