The Female Mystic: Great Women Thinkers of the Middle Ages

Description

The Middle Ages saw a flourishing of mysticism that was astonishing for its richness and distinctiveness. The medieval period was unlike any other period of Christianity in producing people who frequently claimed visions of Christ and Mary, uttered prophecies, gave voice to ecstatic experiences, recited poems and songs said to emanate directly from God and changed their ways of life as a result of these special revelations. Many recipients of these alleged divine gifts were women. Yet the female contribution to western Europe's intellectual and religious development is still not well understood. Popular or lay religion has been overshadowed by academic theology, which was predominantly the theology of men. This timely book rectifies the neglect by examining a number of women whose lives exemplify traditions which were central to medieval theology but whose contributions have tended to be dismissed as "merely spiritual" by today's scholars. In their different ways, visionaries like Richeldis de Faverches (founder of the Holy House at Walsingham, or "England's Nazareth"), the learned Hildegard of Bingen, Hadewijch of Brabant (exemplary voice of the Beguine tradition of love mysticism), charismatic traveller and pilgrim Margery Kempe and anchoress Julian of Norwich all challenged traditional male scholastic theology. Designed for the use of undergraduate student and general reader alike, this attractive survey provides an introduction to thirteen remarkable women and sets their ideas in context. Cover Contents Acknowledgements Introduction 1. Mary's Handmaid: Richeldis of Faverhces 2. Sybil of the Rhine: Hildegard of Bingen 3. Penitential Demoniac: Christina of St Trond/Christina Mirabilis 4. Jouster for Love: Hadewijch of Brabant 5. Divine Lover: Mechtild of Magdeburg 6. Community Visionary: Metchilde of Hackeborn 7. Franciscan Penitent: Angela of Foligno 8. Annihilated Soul: Marguerite Porete 9. Bodily Mystic: Julian of Norwich 10. Papal Advisor: Catherine of Siena 11. Contemplative Pilgrim: Margery Kempe 12. Carmelite Reformer: Teresa of Avila Conclusions Glossary Bibliography Endnotes Index