The thirteenth-century Ancrene Wisse is a guide for female recluses. Addressed to three young sisters of gentle birth, it teaches what truly good anchoresses should and should not do, offering in its examples a glimpse of the real life women had in England in the middle ages. It is also important for its evidence for the continuation of the Anglo-Saxon tradition of prose writing, being produced in the West Midlands where Old English writing conventions continued to develop even after the Norman conquest. The Companion addresses the cultural and historical background, the affiliations of the versions, genre, authorship and language; the various approaches also include a feminist reading of the text. Contributors ROGER DAHOOD, RICHARD DANCE, A.S.G. EDWARDS, CATHERINE INNES-PARKER, BELLA MILLETT, CHRISTINA VON NOLCKEN, ELIZABETH ROBERTSON, ANNE SAVAGE, D.A. TROTTER, YOKO WADA, NICHOLAS WATSON.
Reviews
A welcome addition to Ancrene Wisse scholarship, and Millett's and Watson's essays in particular should become essential reading for all students of the text. MEDIUM AEVUMThis is a valuable collection, always stimulating and provocative. ANGLIA
This collection...amply testifies to the central place Ancrene Wisse has come to occupy in the history of English devotional literature. As a showcase for productive new approaches.this volume is most welcome. SPECULUM
A very coherent introduction and source for students interested in medieval female spirituality. [...] This is an excellent collection of strong work. MEDIAEVISTIK
A timely and important contribution to the field of anchoritic studies....The fact is that many of these essays will be important influences on Ancrene Wisse research for some time to come. MEDIEVAL REVIEW