The use of ritualised acts in late medieval mystical narratives
This thesis addresses the function of the depiction of ritualised acts in late medieval mystical narratives through the use of four case studies, those of Mechthild of Magdeburg's Flowing Light of the Godhead (c. 1260), Angela of Foligno's Memorial (c. 1270), the Vita et Revelationes of Agnes Blannbekin (c. 1315), and the Adelhausen sister-book (1318). The rituals of the Church appear throughout these texts, for instance in the celebration of saints' feasts and daily masses, to which these women devoted much of their time. Sacramental and liturgical practice portrayed within these accounts has been incorporated into the spiritual and mystical lives of women in various imaginative ways. Yet participation within such rites was not only a common and pious act, but also reinforced a social and religious hierarchy and offered access to the real presence of God. This discussion proposes that mystical texts are carefully constructed narratives which employ ritual acts as a strategy to frame and authorise their subjects. Positioning the mystic and their voice within, or interwoven with, both the performed rite, such as communion, or references to these rituals, for instance in the use of sacred spaces like the altar
Buncombe, Miriam
The use of ritualised acts in late medieval mystical narratives. This thesis addresses the function of the depiction of ritualised acts in late medieval mystical narratives through the use of four case studies, those of Mechthild of Magdeburg's Flowing Light of the Godhead (c. 1260), Angela of Foligno's Memorial (c. 1270), the Vita et Revelationes of Agnes Blannbekin (c. 1315), and the Adelhausen sister-book (1318). The rituals of the Church appear throughout these texts, for instance in the celebration of saints' feasts and daily masses, to which these women devoted much of their time. Sacramental and liturgical practice portrayed within these accounts has been incorporated into the spiritual and mystical lives of women in various imaginative ways. Yet participation within such rites was not only a common and pious act, but also reinforced a social and religious hierarchy and offered access to the real presence of God. This discussion proposes that mystical texts are carefully constructed narratives which employ ritual acts as a strategy to frame and authorise their subjects. Positioning the mystic and their voice within, or interwoven with, both the performed rite, such as communion, or references to these rituals, for instance in the use of sacred spaces like the altar
use ritualise act late_medieval mystical narrative address function depiction ritualise act late_medieval mystical narrative use four_case study light memorial vita sister book ritual church appear throughout text instance celebration saint feast daily mass woman devote much time sacramental liturgical practice portray within account incorporate spiritual mystical life_woman various imaginative way yet participation within rite common pious act also reinforce social_religious hierarchy offer access real presence_god discussion propose mystical text carefully construct narrative employ ritual act strategy frame authorise subject positioning mystic voice within interwoven perform rite communion reference ritual instance use sacred_space like altar