medieval women’s writing workshop: reading pack. research centre medieval women’s writing...

HumanitiesResearchCentre

MedievalWomen’sWritingWorkshop:ReadingPack.

Wednesday22ndFebruary2017.

@medievalwarwick

ContactLouiseCampion:[email protected]:[email protected]

University of Warwick Medieval Seminar Series

GenerouslysupportedbytheDepartmentofEnglishandComparativeLiteraryStudies

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HildegardofBingenGermany,1098-1179

HildegardofBingenwasaGermanBenedictinenun,whoisoftencitedasavisionarywriter,philosopher,composer,polymath,andChristianmystic.Bornintoanoblefamilyandtheyoungestoftenchildren,shewasvowedtoGodbyherparents.Attheageofeight,shejoinedherauntasanenclosednun,andanewfoundationofnunsgrewuparoundthem.InGermany,sheisoftennotedasthefounderofscientificnaturalhistory.Indeed,hervastcollectionofworksreflectsthisbroadspreadofknowledge,assheiscreditedwithwritingtheoldestsurvivingmedievalmoralityplay,anumberofmedicaltreatises,worksonbotany,songs,andlyricpoems.Muchofhermusicsurvives,andisstillperformedtoday.Shealsofoundedtwomonasteries,oneatRupertsberg,in1150,andanotheratEibingen,in1165.HildegardsuggestedthatsheexperiencedherfirstvisionfromGodattheageoffive,andthoughshewasinitiallyreluctanttorecordhervisions,shebegantodosoinherearlyforties,whenshereceivedadivinemessageinstructinghertowritedownallthatshesawandheard.

1.Hildegard’sLyrics.Hildegard’slyricsdrawuponboththeBibleandthelanguageandexperiencesofhervisions,receiveddirectlyfromGod.Medievalwomenvisionaries,whohadoftenbeenexcludedfromthemale-dominatedworldofBiblicalcommentaryandexegesis,madegreatuseofthedivineauthoritythatreceivingvisionsstraightfromGodaffordedthem.ThislyricisdedicatedtotheVirginMary.

Avegenerosa-ymnusdeSanctaMaria

Hail,nobleone-hymnofSaintMaryHail,girlofanoblehouse,shimmeringandunpolluted,youpupilintheeyeofchastity,youessenceofsanctity,whichwaspleasingtoGod.Fortheheavenlypotionwaspouredintoyou,inthattheHeavenlywordreceivedaraimentoffleshinyou.YouarelikethelilythatdazzleswhomGodknewbeforeallothers.Omostbeautifulanddelectableone:

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howgreatlyGoddelightedinyou!intheclaspofHisfireHeimplantedinyousothatHissonmightbesuckledbyyou.Thusyourwombheldjoy,whentheharmonyofallHeavenchimedoutfromyou,because,Virgin,youcarriedChristwhenceyourchastityblazedinGod.Yourfleshhasknowndelight,likethegrasslandtouchedbydewandimmersedinitsfreshness;soitwaswithyou,omotherofalljoy.NowletthesunriseofjoybeoverallEcclesiaandletitresoundinmusicforthesweetestVirgin,Marycompellingallpraise,motherofGod.Amen.2.Hildegard’sVisions.ThisshortexcerptfromHildegard’sextensivecatalogueofvisionsdrawsuponapervasiveimagethroughouttheworksofmanywomenmystics,thatoftheBrideofChrist.TobeaBrideofChrististoenterintowhatisoftendescribedasa‘spiritualmarriage’withJesus,inwhichoneisentirelydevotedtoGod,oftenforsakingthematerialworldforamoreprofoundconnectiontothespiritualrealm.InHildegard’svision,theBrideofChristisallegorisedasahugecity,intowhichallofthedevoutChristianscanenter.Manymedievalreligioustexts,particularlythosewrittenforandbywomen,allegorisetheirreadersintermsofspacesorbuildings,oftendrawingonimagesofcastles,stonetowers,churches,andhouses.Takenfrom:VisionIII:TheChurch,BrideofChristandMotheroftheFaithful.

AfterthisIsawtheimageofawomanaslargeasagreatcity,withawonderfulcrownonherheadandarmsfromwhichsplendourhunglikesleeves,shiningfromHeaventoearth.Herwombwaspiercedlikeanetwithmanyopenings,withahugemultitudeofpeoplerunninginandout.Shehadnolegsorfeet,butstoodbalancedonherwombinfrontofthealtarthatstandsbeforetheeyesofGod,embracingitwithoutstretchedhandsandgazingsharplywithhereyesthroughoutallofHeaven.Icould

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notmakeoutherattire,exceptthatshewasarrayedingreatsplendourandgleamedwithlucidserenity,andonherbreastshonearedglowlikethedawn;andIheardasoundofallkindsofmusicsingingabouther,‘Likethedawn,greatlysparkling’.

Andthatimagespreadoutinsplendourlikeagarment,saying,‘Imustconceiveandgivebirth!’Andatonce,likelightning,therehastenedtoheramultitudeofangels,makingstepsandseatswithinherforpeople,bywhomtheimagewastobeperfected.

Hildegardexcerptstakenfrom:WomenandWritinginMedievalEurope:ASourcebook.Ed.CarolyneLarrington.London:Routledge,1995.Print.

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ClemenceofBarking

England,fl.c.1163to1200LittleisknownaboutClemence,otherthantheinformationshegivesaboutherselfwhenshesignshernameattheendofherLifeofStCatherine,writteninAnglo-NormanFrenchinthelate12thcentury:thathernameisClemenceandsheisanunfromBarkingAbbeyinEssex:IwhohavetranslatedherlifeamcalledClemencebyname.IamanunofBarking,forloveofwhichItookthisworkinhand.FortheloveofGod,IprayandbeseechallwhowillhearthisbookandwholistentoitwithareceptivehearttopraytoGodonmybehalf,thathemayplacemysoulinparadiseandguardmybodywhileitisalive,hewhoreignsandlivesandwillreign,andisandwasandwillalwaysbe.(2689-2700)

Jokisavieaitranslatee,2690ParnunsuiClemencenumee.DeBerkingesuinunain.Purs’amurpriscestoevreenmein.Atuzcelskicestlivreorrunt,Ekideboncoerl’entenderunt,2695PuramurDeuprierequier,Qu’ilvoillentDeupurmeipreier,Qu’ilm’anmemetteenpareis,Eguartlecorstantcumertvis,Kiregneeviteregnera2700Eesteerteparmeindra.1.TheLifeofStCatherine,c.1163to1200.TheLifeofStCatherinewrittenbyClemencefollowsthetaleofCatherineofAlexandria,ayoungChristianmartyrwhodiedintheearly4thcentury.AccordingtoClemence’stext,Catherinewasverywise,highlyeducated,andtrainedintheartsofargumentation.Aftershespeaksoutagainstpaganreligiouspractice,thepaganemperorMaxentiusembarksonaseriesofeffortstoconverthertopaganism,frompersuasiontoviolenttorture,butCatherineholdsfirmtoherChristianfaith.50ofthemostlearnedpaganphilosophersaresummonedtodebatewithher,butshedefeatsthemallwiththestrengthofherargumentsandherrhetoricalskill.Inthefollowingextract,oneofthephilosophersadmitsdefeat,praisingherwisdom.

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Atthisoneoftheclerks,whowasveryworthyandwise,replied:‘Truly,’hesaid,‘lordemperor,sinceourmothersboreus,wehaveneverheardawomanspeakso,ordebatesowisely.Sheisnotrevealingfoolishthingstous,butmattersfulloftruth.Herargumentwasmainlyaboutthegodhead.Noonewithwhomwemighthavedebatedwaseverabletostanduptousso.Hewhothoughthimselfwiseattheoutsetthoughthimselfafoolattheend.Ihaveneverseenaclerk,howeverskilled,whomIcouldnothaveforcedtosurrender.ButIcannotrefuteherclaims,forIseenothingwrongwiththem.Itisnosmallthingthatthisladyadvancesagainstus.Shespeaksofthecreatoroftheworldandconfoundsourgodswiththetruth.Wenolongerknowwhattosaytoher,forourcauseisfalse.WetrulybelieveinherGod,whocreatedeverythingfromnothing.FromthemomentthisladyspoketousaboutJesusChrist’sholycross,hisname,hispower,hisdeathandhisbirth,allourwisdomfledandwewerecompletelyovercome.Webelieveinhimwithallourhearts;weshallsaynothingelsetoyou.’(1075-1108)

1075UnsclersrespuntaitantKymutestsagesetvailliant:“Certes,”faitil,“dreizemperere,Unkepuisquefumesneezdemere,N’oimesfemmesiparler,1080Nesisagementdesputer.Nenusmustrepaschosesveines,Enzsuntdeveritétutespleines.Leplusdunteleaddesputé,Estdeladivinité.1085UnkemesnenouspotcuntreesterNulakideigniumparler.Telsetientsageal’envairKefolsetientaldepartir.Unkesneviclercsivailliant,1090K’elenefeissetutrecreant.Messesdizdesdirenepuis,Karnulefauseténetruis.Ceon’estpaspetitechoseDuntcestedamenusoppose.1095Delfaitreparoledelmund,Etparveritétuznozdeusconfund.Nusneluisavummesdire,Karfauseeadnostremateire.EtsonDeucreumveraiment1100Kytuterienfistdenient.Puiskecestedamenusdist

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DelacroizseinteJhesuCrist,Desonnun,desapuissance,Desamortetdesanaissance,1105TrestuitlesancnusenfuiEtsisumestutesbay.DenosquersensonDeucreum;Autrechosenetedirrum.”Englishtranslationfrom:JocelynWogan-BrowneandGlynS.Burgess(trans),VirginLivesandHolyDeaths:TwoExemplaryBiographiesforAnglo-NormanWomen(London:Everyman,1996),pp.19-20,43.

OldFrenchversionfrom:ElectronicCampseyProjecthttp://margot.uwaterloo.ca/campsey/cmphome_e.html

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MariedeFrance

England,fl.c.1160-1215

ThelittleweknowaboutMariedeFrance,MarieofFrance,comesfromherownwriting,mostlikelyundertakenduringthe12thcenturyinEngland.AswellastranslationsofAesop’sFables,MarieisprobablybestknownforhercollectionofBretonLais,shorttextswhichareoftenidentifiedtodayashavinganinterestinCelticfolkloreandmagic,aswellasidentitypolitics.Shealsowroteasaint’slife,theLegendofthePurgatoryofSt.Patrick.ShepaintsanimageofherselfasatranslatorfromBretonandLatinintoFrench,andherwork,particularlytheFables,enjoyedmuchpopularityintheMiddleAges.HereweprovideyouwithmodernEnglishtranslationsoftheProloguetotheFablesfollowedbythefableoftheCrowandtheFox.1.Prologue

Learnedandletteredpeopleoughttodevotestudy,time,andthoughttothosewhosebooksandtextsarefullofsayings,tales,examples,allcomposedbythephilosophers,whomarkedwellwhatcametotheirears.Toteachthemoralandthegoodtheywrotedownproverbsthattheyheardsofolkwhowishedtheirlivestobettercouldprofitbythelearnedletter.Fatherstheyweretoallofus!Theemperor,oldRomulus,instructedthushisson,andbyhisownexampletaughttheboyhowhemustbeonguard,sothathenotbedoneinbysomeplot.Aesopwrotetohismaster,too--heknewhisman,hismindandview--fableshe’dfound;theyhadbeendonefromGreekintotheLatintongue.Somepeoplethoughtitludicroushe’dwastehismindtolaborthus.nofableissofoolish,though,thatwisdomisnotfoundthere,too;intheexamplesyou’llsoonsoothere’salwayssomephilosophy.Tome,whomustcomposetheserhymes,Ithappensthereare,oftentimes,wordsquiteunsuitableatbest.However,hewhodidrequestmytask,isflowerofchivalry,

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ofwisdomandofcourtesy.Whensuchamanapproachesme,innowaydoIwishtobeshirkerofanypainsinstore,thoughsomemaytakemeforaboorinhonoringsuchabehest.AndnowIshallbeginthefirstoffablesAesopuswrotedownandtohismasterpassedalong.2.TheCrowandtheFox

Ithappenedonce--aswellitcould--thatbyawindowwithagoodpantryjustnexttoit,inside,acrowflewby;andtherehespiedsomecheeseslyingondisplay,spreadoutuponawickertray.Hesnatchedoneup,andflewaway.Hemetafoxwhileonhisway.Nowagreatlonginghadthisfoxtosharethecheese;hethoughtsometrickshe’dtry,somecunningstratagem,andthecrowmightbefooledbyhim.

“DearGod,Sire”,saidthefox,“Iseeabirdofsuchgentility!nofairerfowlhaslivedonearth.NeverhaveIbeheldsuchworth!Doesthesongmatchtheform?Ifso,finegold’snaughttothisbeauteouscrow!” Thispraisethecrowwasboundtohear.Onearthhethoughthehadnopeer,andheresolvedtosing,forheaschanteur,gotmuchflattery.Hesang,hisbeakwasallagape,thecheese,ofcourse,madeitsescape,andfellrightdownupontheground.Andthefoxsnappeditwithabound.Nowhe’dnocareforsong,nopraise;hehadhisobject,andhischeese.Exampletake:theproudmusthavethepraiseandplauditsthattheycrave;byliesandtricksandblandishmentsthey’remadetoserviceothers’wants.Fools,squanderers,they’venotachancewithcunningfraudsandsycophants.

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ExtractstakenfromMariedeFrance:Poetry,trans.anded.ByDorothyGilbert(NewYork:W.W.Norton&Co.,2015.

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ChristinedePizanFrance,1364–c.1430

ChristinedePizanwasborninVenicein1364,butgrewupattheFrenchcourtofCharlesV,whereshewaseducatedbyherfather,acourtphysicianandastrologer.Shewasmarriedat15,andwhenherhusbanddiedtenyearslatershewaslefttorunhisestateandsupportherthreechildren,aswellasanieceandherownmother.Around1399Christineturnedtowritingtomakealiving.Shewashugelysuccessful,enjoyingthepatronageandfinancialsupportofinfluentialfiguresatcourt.Hervastandvariedoutputincludeslyricpoetry,biography,andmoralanddidactictreatises.Sheoftenincludedautobiographicaldetailsaboutherownlifeinherwork,andwroteeloquentlyontheroleofwomeninsociety.1.TheLetteroftheGodofLove,1399.L’epistreauDieud’amoursisoneofChristine’searliestworks.TheLetteriswritteninthevoiceofCupid,thegodoflove,whoaddressesittoallwhoareinhisservice.IntheLetter,Christinetakesaimatthemisogynyandanti-feminismofthe(male,clerical)literaryestablishment.Inthisextract,Cupiddefendswomenfromtheslanderousaccusationslevelledatthembymen:“Whythenifwomenareweakandflighty,andeasilymanipulated,sillyandlackingself-control,assomeclerklyauthorssay,whydothosewhopursuethemhaveanyneedofruse?Andwhydowomennotgiveinatonce,withoutrequiringthatstrategiesandtricksbeusedtocatchthem?Foritisnotnecessarytogotowarforacastlethatisalreadycaptured.[...]Itisnecessarytoconcludethat,sincescheming,greatingenuityandgreateffortarerequiredtodeceiveanobleorlow-bornwoman,theyarenotsofickleasitissaid,noristheirbehavioursochangeable.Andifanyonesaystomethatbooksarefullofsuchficklewomen(achargemadebymany,andonethatIdislike),Ianswerthatwomendidnotwritethebooks,nordidtheyputintothemthethingsthatonereadsthereagainstwomenandtheirbehaviour.Thusdomaleauthorswritetotheirhearts’delighttheirdescriptionsofwomen;theseauthorsshownomercywhentheypleadtheircases,happytoyieldinnothingandtotakeforthemselvesthespoilsofvictory:foraggressivepeoplequicklyattackthosewhodonotdefendthemselves.Butifwomenhadwrittenthebooks,iknowforafactthattheywouldhavebeenwrittendifferently,forwomenwellknowthattheyarewronglycondemned.Thepartsarenotfairlydistributed,forthestrongesttakethelargestpieces,andtheonewhodividesupthepiecestakesthebestforhimself.”TheSelectedWritingsofChristinedePizan,trans.RenateBlumenfeld-KosinskiandKevinBrownlee(NewYork:W.W.Norton,1997),p.22-23‘Etcommentdoncquantfreslesetlegieres,

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380Ettournables,nycesetpouentieresSontlesfemmes,sicomaucunsclersdient,QuelbesoingdoncestilaceulzquiprientDetantpourcepourchacierdecautelles?Etpourquoytostnes’iaccordentelles385Sanzqu’ilfailleartn’enginaellesprendre?Carpourchastelprisnefaultguerreemprendre.…Dontconvientiltoutdeneccessité,Puisqu’artconvient,grantengineetgrantpeine,Adecevoirfemmenobleouvillaine,405Qu’elznesoientmiesivariables,Commeaucundit,n’enleurfaitsimuables.Ets’onmeditlilivreensonttuitplein,C’estleresponsamaintdontjemeplain,Jeleurresponsqueleslivresnefirent410Paslesfemmes,neleschosesn’imirentQuel’enylistcontreellesetleursmeurs:Sidevisental’aisedeleurscuersCeulzquiplaidentleurcausesanzpartie,Sanzrabatrecontent,etgrantpartie415Prenentpoureulx,cardelegieroffendentLesbatailleuxceulzquinesedeffendent.MaissefemmeseussentleslivresfaitJesçaydevrayqu’autrementfustdufait,Carbiensceventqu’atortsontencoulpées,420Sinesontpasadroitlesparscoupées,Carlesplusforsprenentlaplusgrantpart,Etlemeilleurpoursoyquipiecespart.’MauriceRoy(ed.),ŒuvrespoétiquesdeChristinedePisan,3vols(Paris:FirminDidot,1886–96;rpt.NewYork:JohnsonReprintCorporation,1965),vol2,pp.13–14 2.TheBookoftheCityofLadies,1405.[AdaptedfromTheBookoftheCityofLadies,trans.RosalindBrown-Grant(London:PenguinBooks,1999),pp.Xvii-xviii]LeLivredelaCitédesDamesiscomposedofacatalogueofbiographiesofcelebratedwomen,withintheframeworkofadream-visioninwhichChristineistheprotagonist.Thevisioncomestoherwhensheisreadingamisogynisttiradeagainstmarriagethatvilifies

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womenasdepravedandmalicious.ThreepersonifiedVirtues-Reason,RectitudeandJusticecometoChristinetocorrectthenegativeportrayalofwomen,informingChristinethatshewillwriteabookthatwillrefutethemisogynists’accusationsagainstwomen.Thisbookwillbelikeacitythathousesvirtuouswomenandprotectsthemfromanti-feministattack.TheVirtuesprovideChristinewithexamplesofdistinguishedheroineswhodemonstratethecrucialrolewomenhaveplayedinhumanhistory.Inthispassage,ChristinespeakswithRectitudeabouttheeducationofwomen:BookII,Chapter36.Againstthosewhoclaimthatitisnotgoodforwomentobeeducated.Afterhearingthesewords,I,Christine,said,‘Mylady,Icanclearlyseethatmuchgoodhasbeenbroughtintotheworldbywomen.Evenifsomewickedwomenhavedoneevilthings,itstillseemstomethatthisisfaroutweighedbyallthegoodthatotherwomenhavedoneandcontinuetodo.Thisisparticularlytrueofthosewhoarewiseandwelleducatedineithertheartsorthesciences,whomwementionedbefore.That’swhyI'mallthemoreamazedattheopinionofsomemenwhostatethattheyarecompletelyopposedtotheirdaughters,wivesorotherfemalerelativesengaginginstudy,forfearthattheirmoralswillbecorrupted.’Rectitudereplied,‘Thisshouldprovetoyouthatnotallmen’sargumentsarebasedonreason,andthatthesemeninparticulararewrong.Thereareabsolutelynogroundsforassumingthatknowledgeofmoraldisciplines,whichactuallyinculcatevirtue,wouldhaveamorallycorruptingeffect.Indeed,there’snodoubtwhatsoeverthatsuchformsofknowledgecorrectone’svicesandimproveone’smorals.Howcouldanyonepossiblethinkthatbystudyinggoodlessonsandadviceonewillbeanytheworseforit?[...]Therefore,itisnotallmen,especiallythemostintelligent,whoagreewiththeviewthatitisabadideatoeducatewomen.However,it’struethatthosewhoarenotveryclevercomeoutwiththisopinionbecausetheydon’twantwomentoknowmorethantheydo.’TheBookoftheCityofLadies,trans.RosalindBrown-Grant(London:PenguinBooks,1999),pp.139-41.

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MargeryKempeEngland,c.1373-c.1439

MargeryKempewasborninwhatisnowKing’sLynn,inNorfolk,thedaughterofasuccessfulmerchant.Shortlyaftershewasmarriedandhadgivenbirthtoherfirstchild,shereceivedherfirstvisionofChrist.Aftergivingbirthtoafurtherthirteenchildren,andattemptingsomewhatunsuccessfullytomakealivingfrombrewingandmilling,Margerydevotedherselftoalifeofpenance,prayer,andpilgrimage.TheBookofMargeryKempeisoftencitedasthefirstautobiographyinEnglish,anddetailseverythingfromMargery’smaritalproblemsandherstintasanunsuccessfulbusinesswoman,toherextensivepilgrimagesacrosstheHolyLand,aswellashervisitstoallofthemajorholysitesinEurope.Herpilgrimagevisitsareoftencharacterisedbyheruncontrollablecryingandweepingatvariousimportantlocations,includingtheChurchoftheHolySepulchreinJerusalem.Itseemsthatshedidnotgetalongatallwellwithherfellowpilgrims,andsheoftencomplainsthattheyignoreherandturnawayfromher,andevenmentionsthattheycan’tstandtotravelalongsideher.Margery’sBookalsorecordssomeofhermysticalvisions,inwhichsheispresentatboththeNativityandthePassionofChrist,quiteaudaciouslyinsertingherselfintoBiblicalnarrative.Inafewplaces,itseemsasthoughsheismakingthecaseforherselftobemadeasaint,wantingrecognitionforherboldandoutlandishspirituality.

FromTheBookofMargeryKempe.ThisexcerptfromtheproemtoMargery’sBookintroducesapervasivethemeofthetextasawhole,thatofMargeryasmalignedandinsultedbythosearoundher,whilealsodetailingsomeofthereasonsastowhyMargerywaskeentowritedownher‘treatise’.WhatisnotableaboutthispassageisthatMargeryoftenreferstoherselfinthethirdperson,as‘thiscreature’.Margerycallsherselfa‘creature’throughouttheBook,andthequestionofwhythetextiswritteninthethirdpersonisveryinteresting,asitprovokessomedebateaboutpreciselywhatismeantbytheterm‘author’.MargeryisoftencitedasoneofthefirstEnglishfemaleauthors,butshedidnotphysicallywritehernarrativedownherself.Rather,shedictatedittoseveraldifferentscribesandlisteners,includingoneofhersonsandherlocalpriest,whowasinitiallyreluctanttorecordherstoryasMargerywasthesubjectofsuchahighvolumeofunfavourablegossip.1. Proem InthenameofJesusChrist.Herebeginsashortandcomfortingtreatiseforsinfulwretches,inwhichtheymighthavegreatsolaceandcomfortforthemselvesandunderstandthehighandindescribablemercyofoursovereignSaviour,LordJesusChrist-whosenameshallbeworshippedandmagnifiedwithoutend-whonowinourtimedeignstoexerciseHisnobilityandHisgoodnesstous,theunworthyones. AlltheworksofourSaviourareforourexampleandinstruction,andwhatevergraceHeworksinanycreatureistoourprofit,iflackofcharitybenotourhindrance.

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Sotherefore,bytheleaveofourmercifulLordChristJesus,tothemagnifyingofHisholyname,Jesus,thislittletreatiseshalldealsomewhatwithpartsofHiswonderfulworks;howmercifully,howbenignly,andhowcharitablyHemovedandstirredasinfulwretchtowardsHislove,thewhichsinfulwretchformanyyearswantedandintended,throughthepromptingoftheHolyGhost,tofollowourSaviour,makinggreatpromisesoffastsandmanyotherpenitentialdeeds.Yetshewasalwaysturnedbackintimesoftemptation-likethereed’sstalkwhichbowswitheverywindandisneverunwaveringunlessnowindblows-untilthattimethatourmercifulLordJesusChrist,havingpityandcompassionforHishandiworkandHiscreature,turnedhealthintosickness,prosperityintoadversity,esteemintodisgrace,andloveintohatred. Thuswithallthesethingsturningupsidedown,thiscreature,whoformanyyearshadgoneastrayandalwaysbeenunstable,wasperfectlydrawnandstirredtoenteruponthewayofperfection,theperfectwaywhichChristourSaviourinHisownpersonexemplified:steadfastlyHetroditgravelyanddulyHetookitbefore.Thenthiscreature(ofwhomthistreatiseshall,throughthemercyofJesus,revealinpartthemannerofliving)wastouchedbyourLord’shandwithgreatbodilysicknessthroughwhichshelostherreasonandherwitsforalongtimeuntilourLord,bygrace,returnedhertohealthagain,asshalllaterbeshownmoreopenly.Herworldlygoods,whichinthosedayswereplentifulandabundant,wereshortlyafterwardsutterlybarrenandbare.Thenpompandpridewascastdownandputaside.Thosewhohadpreviouslyrespectedherafterwardsrebukedhermostsharply;herkinsmenandthosewhohadbeenherfriendswerenowherutmostenemies.Thenshe,consideringthisshockingchange,andseekingsuccourunderthewingsofherspiritualmother,HolyChurch,wentandsubmittedherselftoherconfessor,accusingherselfofmisdeedsandafterwardsshedidgreatphysicalpenance.InashorttimeourmercifulLordvisitedthiscreaturewithprofusetearsofcontritiondaybyday,somuchsothatsomepeoplesaidshewouldweepwhenevershewantedtoandindoingsotheyslanderedtheworkofGod. Shewassousedtobeingslanderedanddisgraced,tobeingchidedandrebukedbytheworldforthegraceandvirtuewithwhichshewasprovidedthroughthestrengthoftheHolyGhost,thatitwasakindofsolaceandcomforttoherwhenshesufferedanydistressfortheloveofGodandforthegracethatGodperformedinher.Sincethemoreslanderanddisgracethatshesuffered,themoresheincreasedingraceandholymeditation,ofhighcontemplation,andofwonderfulspeechesandconversationwhichourLordspokeandintimatedtohersoul,teachingherhowsheshouldbedespisedforHislove,howsheshouldhavepatience,settingallhertrust,allherlove,andallheraffectiononHimonly.

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2. FromBookOne,Chapter30.ThisexcerptdealswithsomeofMargery’smostsignificantpilgrimagevisitstoanumberofsitesacrosstheHolyLand,manyofwhichareimportantplacesinBiblicalnarrative.ItalsopicksupthethemeofMargeryasmalignedanddislikedbyherfellowtravellers:somewouldnotevenbepaidtotakeajourneywithher.Margeryismuchmorecomfortable,andapparentlybetterliked,bythelocalpeoplethatshemeetsalongtheway,andtheyareseentofacilitateherdevotion.ThegreatscaleofMargery’stravels,alongwithherdoggeddeterminationtovisitthemostimportantholysitesiscleartosee,andsheisfrequentlyspurredonbyinteractionswithGod.Anothertime,thiscreature’spartywantedtogototheRiverJordanandwouldnotlethergowiththem.ThenthiscreaturepleadedwithourLordthatshemightgowiththem,andhechargedthatsheshouldgowiththemwhethertheywanteditornot.AndthenshesetoutbythegraceofGodanddidnotasktheirpermission.WhenshecametotheRiverJordan,theweatherwassohotthatshebelievedherfeetwouldburnfortheheatthatshefelt. AfterthatshewentonwithhercompanionstoMountQuarantine,whereourLordfastedforfortydays.Theresheaskedhercompanionstohelpherupthemountain.Andtheysaid‘no’,becausetheycouldbarelyhelpthemselvesup.Thenshehadmuchsorrow,forshecouldnotgetupthehill.AndthenaSaracen*,agood-lookingman,chancedtocomeuponher,andsheputagroatintohishand,makingsignstohimtotakeherupthemountain.AndswiftlytheSaracentookherunderhisarmandledherupthehighmountainwhereourLordfastedforfortydays.Thenshewasterriblythirstyandhadnosympathyfromherparty.ThenGod,inHishighgoodness,movedtheGreyFriarswithcompassionandtheycomfortedherwhenherowncompatriotswouldnotevenacknowledgeher. AndsoshewaseverstrengthenedintheloveofourLordandallthemoreboldtosuffershamesandrebukesforHissakeineveryplaceshewent,forthegracethatGodperformedinherinweeping,sobbing,andcrying,thewhichgraceshecouldnotresistwhenGodwishedtosendit.AndshealwaysprovedherfeelingsweretrueandthosepromisesthatGodhadmadetoherwhileshewasinEngland,andinotherplacestoo,cametoherinactualityjustasshehadsensedbefore,andthereforeshedaredthebetterreceivesuchspeechesandconversations,andactallthemoreboldlythereafter. Afterthat,whenthiscreaturehadcomedownfromtheMount,asGodwishes,shewentonwardstotheplacewhereStJohntheBaptistwasborn.AndafterthatshewenttoBethany,whereMaryandMarthalived,andtothegravewhereLazaruswasburiedandraisedfromdeathtolife.ShealsowenttothechapelwhereourblessedLordappearedtoHisblissfulmotherbeforeallothersonEasterDayinthemorning.AndshestoodinthesameplacewhereMaryMagdalenefirststoodwhenChristsaidtoher,‘Mary,whyweepestthou?’Andsoshewasinmanymoreplacesthanarewritten,forshewasinJerusalemforthreeweeksandintheregionsthereabouts.Andshewasalwaysverydevoutwhileshewasinthatregion.

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AndthefriarsoftheTemplemadeherverywelcomeandgavehermanyfinerelics,wishingthatshemightstaywiththem,ifshewanted,astheyhadsuchfaithinher.Also,theSaracensmademuchofherandescortedherandledheraroundtheregion,wherevershewishedtogo.Andshefoundallthepeopletobegoodandgentletowardsher,exceptherowncompanions. AndasshecamefromJerusalemtoRamlah,shewantedtoreturntoJerusalemforthegreatgraceandspiritualcomfortthatshehadfeltwhenshewasthere,andtopurchasemorepardonsforherself.AndthenourLordcommandedhertogotoRome,andfromtherehometoEngland,andsaidtoher:‘Daughter,asoftenasyousayorthink,“WorshippedbeallthoseholyplacesinJerusaleminwhichChristsufferedbitterpainandPassion”youshallhavethesamepardonasifyouwerephysicallypresentthere,bothforyourselfandforallthosetowhomyouwishtogiveit.’ AndasshewentontoVenice,manyofhercompanionswerereallysick,andourLordalwayssaidtoher,‘Donotbeafraid,daughter,nopersonshalldieintheshipyouarein.’ Andshefoundherfeelingstobereallytrue.AndwhenourLordhadbroughtthembacktoVeniceinsafety,hercompatriotsforsookherandwentawayfromher,leavingheralone.Andsomeofthemsaidthattheywouldnottravelwithherforahundredpounds.*‘Saracen’isatermthatisoftenusedinmedievaltextstodescribeArabic-speakingMuslimpeoples.MargeryKempeexcerptstakenfrom:TheBookofMargeryKempe.Ed.andtrans.AnthonyBale.Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress,2015.Print.

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ImportantDates:Timeline.1098:BirthofHildegardofBingen.1141:HildegardofBingenreceivesavision,whichtellshertowritedownhervisions.c.1160-c.1215:MariedeFrancewriteshermostimportantworks.1160s-1170s:HildegardofBingenteachesmanysermons.c.1163-c.1200:ClemenceofBarkingcomposesTheLifeofSt.Catherine.1179:DeathofHildegardofBingen.1364:BirthofChristinedePizan.1380:ChristinedePizanismarried,aged15,andiswidowed10yearslater.c.1373:BirthofMargeryKempe.c.1405:ChristinedePizanfinishesTheBookoftheCityofLadies.1413:MargeryKempesetsoffforJerusalem,alsovisitingBologna,Constance,andVenice,amongotherplaces.1417:MargeryKempetravelstoSantiagodeCompostela.c.1432:ApproximatedateoffirstwritingdownofMargeryKempe’sBook.1436:PrieststartstorewritepartsofMargeryKempe’sBook.c.1438:DeathofMargeryKempe.c.1460:DeathofChristinedePizan.

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AselectionofotherwomenwritinginwesternEurope,1000-1500:11thcentury:UmmAl-Kiram,Andalusianpoetandprincess,wrotelovepoetryinArabicWalladabintal-Mustakfi,1001-1091,noblepoetfromCordoba,9ArabicpoemssurviveMuhyabintAl-Tayyani,poetofnon-noblebirthfromCordoba,becameastudentofWallada,composedinArabicNazhunal-Garnatiyabintal-Qulai’iya,d.c.1100,poetfromGranada,oflow-statusbirth,composedwittyArabicverseAva(ofGöttweig?OfMelk?),c.1060-1127,firstnamedwomanwriterinGerman,composedreligiouspoemsinMiddleHighGerman12thcentury:ḤamdabintZiyādAlMuaddib,poetfromGuadixinGranada,wroteinArabicHéloïse,1090/1100-1164,Frenchnunandscholar,7lettersinLatintoherformerloverPeterAbelardsurviveTiborsdeSarenom,c.1130–1198,theearliestattestabletrobairitz,orwomantroubadour,whowrotelyricpoetryinOccitan,thelanguageofsouthernFranceandCataloniaHerradofLandsberg,c.1130-1195,nunandabbessfromAlsace,completedpictorialencyclopediaTheGardenofDelightsinLatinin1185Ḥafṣabintal-Ḥājjar-Rakūniyya,c.1135-1190/91,aristocraticpoetfromGranada,19compositionssurive,includinglovepoetry,elegyandsatiricalverseAnonymousnunofBarking,fl.c.1163-89,anonymousnunfromBarkingAbbeyinEssex,wroteaLifeofEdwardtheConfessorinAnglo-NormanFrenchAlmucsdeCastelnau,c.1140-1184,trobairitz(womantroubadour)fromProvence,wroteinOccitanAzalaisdePorcairagues,late12thcentury,trobairitz(womantroubadour),wroteinOccitanComtessadeDia,fl.c.1175orc.1212,trobairitz(womantroubadour),wroteinOccitan

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MariadeVentadorn,late12thcentury,trobairitz(womantroubadour),wroteinOccitan,1worksurvivesfromc.119713thCentury:Marie,fl.early13thcentury,workedinEngland,wroteaLifeofSaintAudreyinAnglo-NormanFrenchCastelloza,fl.early13thcentury,aristocratictrobairitz(womantroubadour)fromAuvergne,wroteinOccitanDameMargotandDameMaroie,fl.13thcentury,2poetsfromArrasinFrance,whodebateeachotherinadebatepoeminOldFrenchBeatriceofNazareth,c.1200-1268,nunfromTieneninFlanders,wrotereligiousdissertationTheSevenWaysofHolyLoveinMiddleDutchMechthildofMagdeburg,c.1207–1282/1294,nobleGermanmystic,composesTheFlowingLightofDivinityinMiddleLowGermanc.1250-c.1280GormondadeMonpeslier,fl.1226–1229,trobairitz(womantroubadour)fromMontpellier,wroteinOccitanMechtildofHackeborn,1240-1290,GermanBenedictinenunandvisionarywriter.WritesTheBookofGostlyGraceinthelate13thcenturyMarguerited'Oingt,c.1240-1310,Frenchnunandmystic,composesMeditationsinLatinin1286,aswellas2textsinFranco-ProvençalMargueritePorete,c.1248/1250-1310,Frenchmystic,composesTheMirrorofSimpleSoulsinOldFrenchinthe1290sHadewijchofBrabant,poetandmysticfromBrabant,composesletters,visionsandpoetryinMiddleDutchGertrudetheGreat,1256–c.1302,Germannun,mysticandtheologian,composesTheHeraldofDivineLoveinLatinfrom128914thcentury:ChristinaEbner,1277–1356,Germannunandmystic,composesLifeandRevelationsinGermanc.1317-1324,theBookofSistersfrom1344andasecondbookofRevelationsfrom1352

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BridgetofSweden,1303-1373,noblemysticfromSweden,recordedhermysticalvisionsinthetextCelestialRevelations,translatedintoMiddleEnglishc.1410-1420CatherineofSiena,1347-1380,Italiannunandphilosopher,recordedhervisionsinTheDialogueofDivineProvidenceinLatin,1377-1378,lettersandprayersalsosurviveJulianofNorwich,1342–c.1416,Englishanchoressandmystic,writesRevelationsofDivineLovec.1395inEnglish15thcentury:CatherineofBologna,1413-1463,Italiannunandartist,writesTreatiseontheSevenSpiritualWeaponsNecessaryforSpiritualWarfare1438-1456inItalianFlorenciaPinar,poetfromCastile,4worksinCastiliansurviveTeresadeCartagena,c.1425-?,Spanishnun,2worksinSpanishsurvive,GroveoftheInfirmandWonderattheWorksofGodEleanordePoitiers,1444/1446-1509,noblewomanfromBurgundy,writesetiquettebookLesHonneursdelaCourinthe1480sinFrenchGwerfulMechain,fl.1460–1502,noblepoetfromMechaininPowys,wrotereligiousanderoticpoetryinWelsh,includingOdetothePubicHair

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