The Gilte Legende was widely read as a model for everyday life, including the education of women through examples set by early Christian martyrs. This book divides the lives of female saints into: the "ryght hooly virgins",who vocally defend their bodies against Roman persecution; "holy mothers", who give up their traditional role to pursue a life of contemplation; the "repentant sinners", who convert and voice their defiance against a society thatdemanded silence in women; and the "holy transvestites", who cast off their gender identity to find absolution and salvation. Their lives reach through the ages to speak to a...Read more
The Gilte Legende was widely read as a model for everyday life, including the education of women through examples set by early Christian martyrs. This book divides the lives of female saints into: the "ryght hooly virgins",who vocally defend their bodies against Roman persecution; "holy mothers", who give up their traditional role to pursue a life of contemplation; the "repentant sinners", who convert and voice their defiance against a society thatdemanded silence in women; and the "holy transvestites", who cast off their gender identity to find absolution and salvation. Their lives reach through the ages to speak to a modern audience, forcing a re-examination of women's roles in the medieval period.
LARISSA TRACY is Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Georgetown University and George Mason University.
Series editor JANE CHANCE
LARISSA TRACY is Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Georgetown University and George Mason University.
Series editor JANE CHANCE
- ISBN10 1843842998
- ISBN13 9781843842996
- Publish Date 15 March 2012 (first published 3 April 2003)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Boydell & Brewer Ltd
- Imprint D.S. Brewer
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 155
- Language enm