Within the field of Dutch literature the "Limburg Sermons" constitute a unique collection of sermons from the thirteenth century. In addition to material translated from German it contains a unique series of vernacular sermons on the a ~Song of Songsa (TM), which reveal unsuspected connections with the mystic authors Beatrijs van Nazareth and Hadewijch.

For a long time it was thought that there were no Middle Dutch sermons dating from the thirteenth century. It was only after J.P. Gumbert had redated the manuscript from The Hague containing the Limburg Sermons that its contents could be assigned to that century. Most of the Limburg Sermons appear to be translations of the Middle High German St. Georgen sermons. But sixteen of these texts are known only in Middle Dutch, and among these is to be found material drawn from the works of Hadewijch and Beatrijs van Nazareth. Thus the Limburg Sermons emerge to take their place in the famous tradition of Brabantine mysticism.

In this book on The Arnhem mystical sermons, Ineke Cornet offers the first in-depth study of the mystical and theological content of this sixteenth-century sermon collection from St. Agnes in Arnhem.

Contains thirty-three papers, twelve with illustrations, by leading scholars in Medieval Codicology and Iconography, in Humanist Translations and in Medieval French, Early English, and Medieval Irish Literatures. Each throws new light on particular problems in a specialism.

John of Ruusbroec (1293-1381) is one of the most important mystical authors in the Christian tradition. This Companion provides a comprehensive overview of Ruusbroec studies, including a survey of the mystical tradition in the Low Countries before Ruusbroec, a discussion of his life and works, the manuscript tradition, the most significant mystical-theological and literary themes, Latin translations of his work, and the widespread resonance of his thought across Europe until 1800. Finally, it offers a summary of secondary research since the nineteenth century. To complement the range of scholarly articles, this Companion also includes the first English translation of a series of Middle Dutch texts that offer deeper insight into Ruusbroec, his thought, and his mystical and literary context. Contributors include: Jos Andriessen, John Arblaster, Guido De Baere, Rob Faesen, Bernard McGinn, Hilde Noë, Kees Schepers, Loet Swart, Rik Van Nieuwenhove, and Lieve Uyttenhove.

The result of a joint project by medievalists at the U. of Chile in Santiago and the universities of Ghent and Antwerp in the Netherlands, the essays of this volume consider medieval women's literacy with a focus on the impact of gender. Five essays consider aspects of Hildegard of Bingen's writings, particularly in her Symphonia. Other topics include the uses of literacy in medieval Beguine communities, women's literacy in 13th-century Latin Agogic texts, Johannes Tauler's writings on Bingen's Scivias, and Jan van Ruusbroec's perception of religious women. Distributed by the David Brown Book Company. The volume is not indexed. Annotation : 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).