Biographies poetic compositions works that are mystical prophetic visionary or meditative: the selections here reflect the developments in medieval piety particularly in the link between female spirituality and the body. Included are the dramatic visionary writings of Hildegard of Bingen; letters and poems by Hadewijch expressing passionate love for God; and Marguerite Porete's allegorical poem The Mirror of Simple Souls a dialogue between Love and Soul that was condemned as heretical. Also included are biographies written by male ecclesiastics of women such as Christine the Astonishing whose extraordinary behavior included being resurrected at her own funeral; revelations received by Bridget of Sweden the first woman to found a religious order; and excerpts from The Book of Margery Kempe in which Margery imagines herself as a servant caring for the Virgin Mary in her childhood. This volume edited by Elizabeth Spearing& 160;who also prepared some of the translations features a rich introduction to the lives and religious experiences of its subjects as well as full explanatory notes. For more than seventy years Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1700& 160;titles Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the& 160;series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors as well as up-to-date& 160;translations by award-winning translators. Language: English