The English Prose Treatises of Richard Rolle (Studies in Medieval Mysticism, 4) (Volume 4)

Richard Rolle, the 'hermit of Hampole', wrote an extensive body of religious literature that was widely disseminated in late medieval England; but although many of his works have received substantial editorial attention, they have as yet attracted only limited detailed critical analysis, with scholarship largely focused on establishing facts about his life and striking character. This study aims to correct this imbalance by re-examining his English prose works - 'Ego Dormio, The Commandment' and 'The Form of Living' - in terms of their literary form, content and appeal rather than their relationship to Rolle's biography. The author argues that in these devotional works (which appealed to a broad readership in late medieval England) Rolle successfully refines traditional affective strategies to develop an implied reader-identity, the individual soul seeking the love of God, which empowers each and every reader in his or her own spiritual journey. CLARE ELIZABETH MCILROY teaches at the University of Western Australia Richard Rolle, The 'hermit Of Hampole', Wrote An Extensive Body Of Religious Literature That Was Widely Disseminated In Late Medieval England; But Although Many Of His Works Have Received Substantial Editorial Attention, They Have As Yet Attracted Only Limited Detailed Critical Analysis, With Scholarship Largely Focused On Establishing Facts About His Life And Striking Character. This Study Aims To Correct This Imbalance By Re-examining His English Prose Works - Ego Dormio, The Commandment And The Form Of Living - In Terms Of Their Literary Form, Content And Appeal Rather Than Their Relationship To Rolle's Biography. The Author Argues That In These Devotional Works (which Appealed To A Broad Readership In Late Medieval England) Rolle Successfully Refines Traditional Affective Strategies To Develop An Implied Reader-identity, The Individual Soul Seeking The Love Of God, Which Empowers Each And Every Reader In His Or Her Own Spiritual Journey.--jacket. 1. Richard Rolle, English Writers -- 2. Ihesu Louynge, Ihesu Thynkynge, Ihesu Desyrynge : Affectivity, The Devotional Movement And Rolle's Implied Reader -- 3. I Will Becum A Messager To Bring [th]e To Hys Bed : Ego Dormio -- 4. A Noble Tretise Of Loue : The Commandment -- 5. A Man Or A Woman [th]at Is Ordeynet To Contemplatif Lif : The Form Of Living. Claire Elizabeth Mcilroy. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 187-208) And Index. Rolle's prose works examined as literature rather than for their relationship to his life.Richard Rolle, the `hermit of Hampole', wrote an extensive body of religious literature that was widely disseminated in late medieval England; but although many of his works have received substantial editorial attention, they haveas yet attracted only limited detailed critical analysis, with scholarship largely focused on establishing facts about his life and striking character. This study aims to correct this imbalance by re-examining his English prose works - Ego Dormio, The Commandment and The Form of Living - in terms of their literary form, content and appeal rather than their relationship to Rolle's biography. The author argues that in these devotional works (which appealed to a broad readership in late medieval England) Rolle successfully refines traditional affective strategies to develop an implied reader-identity, the individual soul seeking the love of God, which empowers each andevery reader in his or her own spiritual journey. CLARE ELIZABETH MCILROY teaches at the University of Western Australia. Richard Rolle, the `hermit of Hampole', wrote an extensive body of religious literature that was widely disseminated in late medieval England; but although many of his works have received substantial editorial attention, they haveas yet attracted only limited detailed critical analysis, with scholarship largely focused on establishing facts about his life and striking character. This study aims to correct this imbalance by re-examining his English prose works - Ego Dormio, The Commandment and The Form of Living - in terms of their literary form, content and appeal rather than their relationship to Rolle's biography. The author argues that in these devotional works (which appealed to a broad readership in late medieval England) Rolle successfully refines traditional affective strategies to develop an implied reader-identity, the individual soul seeking the love of God, which empowers each andevery reader in his or her own spiritual journey. CLARE ELIZABETH MCILROY teaches at the University of Western Australia. CONTENTS......Page 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 8 PREFACE......Page 10 1. Richard Rolle, English Writer......Page 12 2. “Ihesu louynge, Ihesu thynkynge, Ihesu desyrynge”: Affectivity, the Devotional Movement and Rolle’s Implied Reader......Page 32 3. “I wil becum a messager to bring þe to his bed”: Ego Dormio......Page 68 4. “A noble tretis of loue”: The Commandment......Page 110 5. “A man or a womman þat is ordeynet tocontemplatif lif”: The Form of Living......Page 151 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 198 INDEX......Page 220