Medieval English Prose for Women: Selections from the Katherine Group and Ancrene Wisse

by Bella Millett, Jocelyn Wogan-Browne (Editor)

The Ancrene Wisse , a guide for female recluses in the West Midlands in the early thirteenth century, and the closely related works of the "Katherine Group," offer vivid and fascinating insights into the religious life of the time. The difficulty of the language however, which skillfully blends Latin and native English stylistic traditions, has made the documents largely inaccessible to all but experts in Middle English. This edition presents the works in a new and readable critical text that includes interspersed translations, notes, a select glossary, and a general introduction, making this volume highly useful to undergraduates and generalists with limited knowledge of Middle English.

Genres: Medieval, Religion

262 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 1990

Reviews

[Johana Delgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book a couple of weeks ago and found it really interesting. The way it is set up to read like a woman guide to staying pure. I found it intreaging that this was the way they though back then and it will make for an interesting discussion in my English seminar.

[Featherleaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a window into a very niche selection of literature that only those studying Medieval views on sexuality and women, and reading it alongside the untranslated text is amazing.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of this was really fascinating (Saint Margaret is really cool!) but other parts were hard to get through.

[Mya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable translation with an informative introduction that contextualizes each selection.

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps the most painful read of the semester. Not to over-dramatize it or anything, but it was a struggle to get through the readings.

[Highlyeccentric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good translations, unmodernised edition, not enough texts