The Cambridge Companion to Medieval English Mysticism

This insightful guide offers an introduction to medieval English mystical texts, exploring their authors and the spiritual contexts that shaped them, including the Cambridge Companion to Medieval English Mysticism.

The Cambridge Companion to Medieval English Mysticism provides a comprehensive introduction to the mystical texts of medieval England, exploring their authors, readers, and communities. This insightful guide is designed for students of literature, history, and theology, offering a rich overview of the period's spiritual landscape. It features a helpful guide to further reading and a chronology, making it accessible to both newcomers and those familiar with the subject.

Challenging the common perception that mystical experiences were limited to a privileged elite, the Cambridge Companion to Medieval English Mysticism argues that these experiences were deeply embedded in the spiritual contexts of the time. By examining the works of notable figures such as Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe, the book illustrates how their individual mystical journeys were influenced by the broader cultural and spiritual currents of medieval England. The text is organized by historical developments, providing a clear framework for understanding the evolution of mystical thought.

Through its exploration of primary vernacular texts and their authors, the Cambridge Companion to Medieval English Mysticism highlights the connections between mystical experiences and the communities that fostered them. This book serves as an essential resource for anyone interested in the intersections of spirituality, literature, and history during the medieval period, making it a valuable addition to the study of English mysticism.