Trans and Genderqueer Subjects in Medieval Hagiography
Book Description
This groundbreaking scholarly collection explores the untold stories of gender-nonconforming individuals within medieval Christian hagiography, revealing a rich tradition of spiritual figures who transcended conventional gender boundaries. Through careful examination of historical religious texts, the authors uncover compelling narratives of saints and holy people whose lives challenged the rigid gender categories often assumed to define medieval spirituality.
The volume brings together both emerging and established scholars who demonstrate how medieval hagiography, as a literary genre, naturally resisted binary thinking about gender and identity. Rather than viewing these historical figures solely through the lens of sexuality, the contributors focus specifically on questions of gender identity and expression within sacred contexts.
For contemporary readers seeking to understand the deeper roots of gender diversity in spiritual traditions, this work offers profound insights. The scholars featured here engage in what they term "historical trans studies," creating meaningful connections between modern gender-nonconforming individuals and their medieval counterparts. This approach reveals models of spiritual identity that have long been overlooked or misunderstood in traditional scholarship.
The collection serves as both academic resource and spiritual genealogy, helping readers discover a lineage of non-normative gender expression within Christian history. By examining these medieval lives through a contemporary lens, the book demonstrates how questions of gender identity have always been interwoven with the search for spiritual authenticity and divine connection.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~10 hours)
📄 Length: 342 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Christianity
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Christian hagiography
- ✓ Explore Gender nonconformity
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Gender identity
- ✓ Explore Christian saints
- ✓ Explore Christian saints in literature
