Promised Bodies Time Language Corporeality In Medieval Womens Mystical Texts

Promised Bodies Time Language Corporeality In Medieval Womens Mystical Texts

By Patricia Dailey

Book Description

This scholarly exploration delves into the profound spiritual writings of medieval women mystics, revealing how they understood the body as a sacred vessel for divine transformation. Patricia Dailey examines the mystical texts of Hadewijch of Brabant, a thirteenth-century beguine, alongside the works of renowned visionaries including Julian of Norwich, Hildegard of Bingen, and Marguerite of Oingt.

Drawing from Christian theological tradition, these medieval women viewed the human form as a dual entity encompassing both inner and outer dimensions, destined to discover its authentic spiritual materiality through divine grace. Their writings demonstrate how the body serves as a transformative mirror, capable of reflecting divine work and fundamentally altering its own nature when open to spiritual influence.

Dailey's analysis crosses linguistic and historical boundaries to illuminate the sophisticated theological engagement found in women's mystical literature. She establishes fresh approaches for understanding the distinctive qualities of these spiritual texts while revealing surprising commonalities between male and female mystical writings of the era.

This work challenges conventional assumptions about gender differences in medieval spiritual expression, examining how men and women of the time approached style, language, interpretation, literacy, and textual practices. For readers interested in the intersection of spirituality, embodiment, and feminine wisdom traditions, this study offers valuable insights into how medieval mystics understood the body's role in spiritual awakening and divine encounter.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)

📄 Length: 260 pages

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore History and criticism
  • ✓ Explore mystical experiences
  • ✓ Explore Christian literature
  • ✓ Explore Mysticism, history
  • ✓ Explore Women mystics
  • ✓ Explore Women authors
  • ✓ Explore Leiblichkeit
  • ✓ Explore Christian literature, history and criticism

Topics Covered

History and criticism Mysticism Christian literature Mysticism, history Women mystics Women authors Leiblichkeit Christian literature, history and criticism Frauenmystik Mysticism, middle ages, 600-1500 History

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