Julia Bolton Holloway

Saint Bride and her Book: Birgitta of Sweden's Revelations - Library of Medieval Women Julia Bolton Holloway

Marc Notes: Originally published: Newburyport, Mass.: Focus Information Group, 1992.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 138-146) and index. Publisher Marketing: Saint Birgitta of Sweden (canonised in 1391) is one of the most important female figures of medieval Europe. She participated vigorously in its political life, attempting through her writings to end the Hundred Years War between England and France, and to strengthen the Papacy against the Schism; she also influenced other mystics, such as Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Siena, Chiara Gambacorta, Margery Kempe and Elizabeth Barton, leading a tradition in which women, despite being forbidden to preach, could act through writing visionary books. Birgitta was helped by cardinals, bishops, priors and masters in her task, speaking to Popes, Emperors and all Europe. For this work she is now proclaimed, with Catherine of Siena and Edith Stein, Patron of Europe. This book presents in modern English her medieval biography, excerpts from her massive book, the Revelationes, from a translation into Middle English made at Brigittine Syon Abbey in England. This is accompanied by an interpretive essay and an introduction tracing her life.

Contributor Bio:  Holloway, Julia Bolton Julia Bolton Holloway, Ph. D., is a vowed hermit living in Florence, Italy. She has published seventeen other works on important historical figures. Contributor Bio:  Bridget Denis Searby teaches in the Department of Classics at the Universities of Stockholm and Uppsala. He has worked on a number of translations and critical editions in Latin and Greek. Bridget Morris was formerly Senior Lecturer in Scandinavian Studies at the University of Hull and is an AssociateMember of the Institute for Medieval Studies, University of Leeds. She is the author of several articles and books on St. Birgitta and medieval Swedish literature.