Excessive Saints: Gender, Narrative, and Theological Invention in Thomas of Cantimpre's Mystical Hagiographies

In his hagiographies, Thomas of Cantimpré saw the Southern Low Countries as a precursor to the New Jerusalem, where the Holy Spirit was manifesting itself in the lives of both lay and religious people. Rachel J. D. Smith's book explores how Thomas's texts employ vivid narrative portrayals of typically female bodies to perform theological work in a rhetorically specific way, representing the lives and bodies of holy women to render them desirable objects of devotion. It offers new insights into the study of theology, medieval Christianity, and medieval womens history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 18 December 2018
Publisher: Columbia University Press

In the eyes of the thirteenth-century preacher, exorcist, and hagiographer Thomas of Cantimpré, the Southern Low Countries held a profound significance as a forerunner of the New Jerusalem. Thomas firmly believed that the Holy Spirit was actively manifesting itself in the lives of both laypeople and religious individuals alike. With an insatiable curiosity, Thomas embarked on a quest to seek out these extraordinary new saints, diligently documenting their lives in order to awe, educate, and challenge the prevailing beliefs of his time.

In her groundbreaking work, Excessive Saints, Rachel J. D. Smith employs a multi-faceted approach, combining historical, literary, and theological perspectives, to provide a fresh interpretation of Thomas's hagiographies. Through a meticulous analysis of these texts, Smith reveals how they employ vivid narrative portrayals of typically female bodies to perform theological work in a rhetorically specific manner. Written during a period of immense religious experimentation, Thomas's writings engage with and through the physical bodies of particular figures, transforming the narrative of their lives into a rich tapestry of theological innovation. Smith delves into how these texts represent the lives and bodies of holy women, making them desirable objects of devotion for his readers. At the same time, Thomas passionately narrates these lives, navigating his own uncertainties about the potential opportunities and dangers that these emerging forms of holiness present.

Excessive Saints stands as the first book to examine Thomas's narrative craft in relation to his theological endeavors, offering a novel vision for the study of theology, medieval Christianity, and medieval women's history. By exploring the ways in which Thomas's hagiographies depict the lives and bodies of holy women, Smith sheds light on the complex interplay between religious practice, gender, and power in the medieval world. This book provides valuable insights into the ways in which religious narratives can shape and transform individuals and communities, and it contributes to our understanding of the rich and multifaceted tapestry of medieval religious experience.

Weight: 574g
Dimension: 178 x 251 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231188609