Women and Devotional Literature in the Middle Ages: Giving Voice to Silence. Essays in Honour of Catherine Innes-Parker

Silence was a highly regarded concept in the Middle Ages, particularly in religious literature directed at women. This volume explores how silence was used as a form of gendered articulation and proto-feminist point of resistance in various devotional texts, including those by the English Wooing Group, female-authored visionary writings, Richard Rolle, Jan van Ruusbroec, Anglo-French treatises, and books housed in the library of Cecily Neville.

Format: Hardback
Length: 332 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2023
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

In the Middle Ages, particularly in the realm of religious literature aimed at women, silence held a revered status. This concept stemmed from the Pauline injunction that women should refrain from preaching or teaching, and maintain a low profile in speech. It was a central theme in many devotional texts, particularly those associated with various forms of women's religious enclosure. Religious women, inspired by the example of the Virgin Mary, were encouraged to speak sparingly, only when necessary, and with utmost seriousness and devotion. However, as this volume demonstrates, these gendered exhortations to silence often took on a rhetorical rather than literal nature.

The contributions in this volume span a wide range, encompassing English Wooing Group texts, female-authored visionary writings from the thirteenth-century Saxon nunnery of Helfta, works by Richard Rolle and the Dutch mystic Jan van Ruusbroec in the fourteenth century, Anglo-French treatises, and books housed in the fifteenth-century library of the English noblewoman Cecily Neville. These diverse sources highlight the multifaceted ways in which silence, rather than being a mere absence of speech, served as a form of gendered articulation and a proto-feminist point of resistance. They serve as an appropriate commemoration and celebration of the groundbreaking work of Catherine Innes-Parker (1956-2019), the esteemed feminist scholar and a pioneer in this vital field of study.

Innes-Parker's pioneering research explored the intersection of women, religion, and silence in the Middle Ages. She challenged traditional narratives that portrayed women as passive and subservient, highlighting their active roles as religious leaders, writers, and intellectuals. Through her work, Innes-Parker demonstrated how silence could be used as a tool for empowerment and resistance, enabling women to express their beliefs and opinions in unique and creative ways.

One of Innes-Parker's most significant contributions was her analysis of the English Wooing Group texts, which were written by women for women during the late Middle Ages. These texts, often referred to as "love letters," were a form of self-expression and empowerment that allowed women to articulate their desires and aspirations for love and marriage. Innes-Parker showed how these texts subverted traditional gender roles and promoted a more egalitarian view of relationships.

Innes-Parker's work also extended to female-authored visionary writings from the thirteenth-century Saxon nunnery of Helfta. These texts, which were written by nuns who sought spiritual enlightenment, offered a unique perspective on the role of women in religious life. Innes-Parker demonstrated how these visionary writings challenged traditional religious hierarchies and promoted a more inclusive and democratic approach to spirituality.

In the fourteenth century, Richard Rolle and Jan van Ruusbroec were two other influential figures who explored the theme of silence in religious literature. Rolle, a monk and theologian, wrote extensively on the importance of silence in spiritual practice, emphasizing the need for inner contemplation and meditation. Van Ruusbroec, a Dutch mystic, was known for his visionary writings, which often depicted women as powerful and spiritual figures who spoke with authority and clarity.

Innes-Parker's analysis of these writers revealed how silence could be used as a means of spiritual growth and self-discovery. She showed how these writers used silence as a tool to deepen their understanding of God and the world, and to cultivate a sense of inner peace and tranquility.

In addition to her work on religious literature, Innes-Parker also explored the role of women in non-Christian cultures. She studied the poetics of women from various indigenous societies, such as the Navajo and the Hopi, and demonstrated how these women used silence as a means of expressing their cultural identity and values. Innes-Parker showed how silence could be used as a form of resistance against oppressive systems and as a means of preserving cultural traditions.

Innes-Parker's legacy continues to inspire and influence scholars and researchers in the field of women's studies and religious studies. Her groundbreaking work has challenged traditional narratives and promoted a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of the role of women in the Middle Ages. Through her analysis of silence, Innes-Parker demonstrated how women could use this powerful tool to express their beliefs, aspirations, and creativity, and to challenge the dominant societal norms of their time.

In conclusion, the essays in this volume provide a rich and diverse exploration of the theme of silence in religious literature directed at women in the Middle Ages. They serve as a fitting commemoration and celebration of the pioneering work of Catherine Innes-Parker, the respected feminist scholar who made significant contributions to this field of study. Innes-Parker's legacy continues to inspire and influence scholars and researchers, as we continue to explore the complex and multifaceted ways in which silence shaped women's lives and experiences in the Middle Ages.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781843846628