Approaching Medieval English Anchoritic and Mystical Texts

Mystical and anchoritic texts form a large part of the extant literature surviving from the middle ages; but they offer a particular challenge to the modern reader, both in terms of their religious context, and of the language in which they are couched. This volume addresses this problem, by exploring the origins, context and content of the anchoritic and mystical texts produced in medieval England, and by examining the ways in which these texts may be studied and taught today. Incorporating historical, literary and theological perspectives (all important in gaining a better understanding of such texts), it seeks both to position medieval spiritual writings against a surprisingly wide range of contemporary contexts, and to face the challenge of making these texts accessible to a wider readership. Authors examined include Julian of Norwich, Margery Kempe, Richard Rolle and Walter Hilton.