English Mystics of the Middle Ages

First collection of late medieval English mystical writing, which has been newly edited with notes and glossary.

Barry Windeatt (Edited by)

9780521327404, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 September 1994

324 pages
22.4 x 14.4 x 2.9 cm, 0.56 kg

"The texts are newly edited from the manuscripts and are supplemented with texual and explanatory notes and a glossary, making available some of the best work of the English mystics." Manuscripta

This edition brings together for the first time key texts representing the writings of the medieval English mystics. The texts have been newly edited from early manuscripts, and are supplemented with textual and explanatory notes and a glossary. The book focuses on five major authors, Richard Rolle, Walter Hilton, the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing, Dame Julian of Norwich, and Margery Kempe. Shorter works are presented whole, where possible, and accompanied by extracts from the mystics' longer works; extracts from contemporary translations into English are also included to illustrate the reception of European mystical texts in later medieval England. Overall, this volume makes accessible some of the finest writing by English contemplatives and visionaries of the Middle Ages.

Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Editorial note
Introductory essay
Part I. Richard Rolle (c.1300–1349): 1. The Fire of Love
2. The Mendynge of Lyfe
3. Ego Dormio
4. The Commandment
5. The Form of Living
Part II. Anonymous: 6. The Cloud of Unknowing
7. The Book of Privy Counselling
8. Mystical Prayer
Part III. Walter Hilton (d. 1396): 9. Epistle on the Mixed Life
10. Of Angels' Song
11. Eight Chapters on Perfection
12. The Scale of Perfection, Book I
13. The Scale of Perfection, Book II
14. Qui Habitat
15. The Prickynge of Love
Part IV. Julian of Norwich (1342–after 1416): 16. Revelations of Divine Love (shorter version)
17. Revelations of Divine Love (longer version)
Part V. Margery Kempe (c.1373–c.1440): 18. The Book of Margery Kempe
Part VI. Anonymous English Translators: 19. The Mirrour of Simple Soules
20. A Ladder of Foure Ronges by the which Men Mowe Wele Clyme to Heven
21. The Doctrine of the Hert
22. The Chastising of God's Children
23. The Treatise of Perfection of the Sons of God
Part VII. Richard Methley (1451/2–1527/8): 24. To Hew Heremyte: A Pystyl of Solytary Lyfe Nowadayes
Notes
Guide to further reading
Glossary.

Subject Areas: Poetry anthologies [various poets DCQ]