English Mystics of the Middle Ages

by Barry Windeatt (Editor)

Overview

This edition brings together for the first time key texts representing the writings of the medieval English mystics. The texts are newly edited from manuscripts, and are supplemented with 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; extracts from contemporary translations are also included to illustrate the reception of European mystical texts in later medieval England.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521339582
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/18/2007
Series:	Cambridge English Prose Texts
Pages:	324
Sales rank:	865,280
Product dimensions:	5.47(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.75(d)

Table of Contents

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.

Editorial Reviews

"Barry Windeatt's fine anthology of late Middle English mystical writings exemplifies in an almost startling manner what might be designated the central dilemma of modern spiritual scholarship." Christianity and Literature

"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

From the Publisher