Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preliminary Material / John C. Hirsh -- Preface / John C. Hirsh -- Introduction / John C. Hirsh -- Chapter One The Origin of Affective Devotion / John C. Hirsh -- Chapter Two Buddhism and Spirituality in Medieval England / John C. Hirsh -- Chapter Three The Gods Appear: Representing the Divine in Quest Narratives / John C. Hirsh -- Chapter Four Is the Book of Margery Kempe a Feminist Text? / John C. Hirsh -- Chapter Five Feminism and Spirituality in Chaucer / John C. Hirsh -- Chapter Six Christ's Blood / John C. Hirsh -- Chapter Seven The Liberation of Mysticism a Reflection on Richard Rolle / John C. Hirsh -- Chapter Eight The Arma Christi and Power Meditation, Motivation and Display / John C. Hirsh -- Chapter Nine The New World / John C. Hirsh -- Conclusion / John C. Hirsh -- Bibliography / John C. Hirsh -- Index of Names and Subjects / John C. Hirsh -- Studies in the History of Christian Thought / Editor: Heiko A. Oberman.

This volume deals with the ways in which religious Faith was communicated and adapted during the late medieval period and after, and with the ways in which spirituality, culture, written texts and gender interacted during the same period. Drawing on texts like the Book of Margery Kempe , popular prayers, romances and devotions, well-known devout practices, mystical and visionary writing, and devout representations like the Arma Christi , the book addresses the ways in which these both informed and were informed by attitudes towards Faith and Belief which continue today. Subjects include: the development of religious attitudes; devotion to Christ's blood; the influence of mysticism on literary texts; Chaucer's feminism; Eastern sources; and the transmission of medieval spirituality into the New World.

Description based on print version record.