A Diabolical Voice: Heresy and the Reception of the Latin "Mirror of Simple Souls" in Late Medieval Europe

In A Diabolical Voice, Justine L. Trombley explores the controversial and condemned Mirror of Simple Souls, tracing its afterlife and the diverse reactions to its Latin translation. She reveals how heresy remained an integral part of the Mirror's history, revealing how seriously churchmen took Marguerite Porete's ideas on their own terms.

Format: Hardback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2023
Publisher: Cornell University Press

In her captivating book, "A Diabolical Voice," Justine L. Trombley delves into the enigmatic afterlife of the "Mirror of Simple Souls," a remarkable mystical treatise that circulated anonymously for two centuries across four languages. Despite facing controversy and condemnation, the "Mirror" gained widespread recognition as one of the most unusual and significant mystical works of the late Middle Ages. In 1310, it was condemned in Paris as a heretical work, and its author, Marguerite Porete, was subjected to a brutal execution by burning at the stake.

However, Trombley's research reveals a fascinating parallel trend of opposition and condemnation that specifically targeted the "Mirror's" Latin translation. She uncovers a group of fourteenth- and fifteenth-century theologians, canon lawyers, inquisitors, and other churchmen who were entirely unaware of the "Mirror's" author and its condemnation. Instead, they perceived the work as harboring dangerous heresies that required refutation and condemnation of their own beliefs.

Through the use of new evidence from the "Mirror's" largely overlooked Latin manuscript tradition, "A Diabolical Voice" meticulously charts the diverse range of negative reactions to the "Mirror." These reactions encompassed confiscations, physical destruction, academic refutations, and vicious denunciations of its supposedly fiendish doctrines. This parallel story of opposition underscores how heresy remained an integral part of the "Mirror's" history, extending far beyond the events of 1310. It sheds light on how churchmen approached Marguerite Porete's ideas on their own terms, detached from her identity and her tragic fate.

Trombley's work emphasizes the intricate complexity of the "Mirror of Simple Souls" and its reception. She highlights how this influential book continues to yield new perspectives and understandings, inviting readers to delve deeper into its enigmatic world. By exploring the intersections of religion, power, and cultural dynamics, "A Diabolical Voice" provides a rich and nuanced exploration of the late Middle Ages, offering a valuable contribution to the field of religious studies.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501769610