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Monday, 31 May 2010
Julian of Norwich - An English Mystic
 by Esmerelda Weatherwax (originally appeared in March, 2006)
I went to Norwich, county town of Norfolk in February where I paid a visit to St Julian’s church where the mediaeval theologian, mystic and writer Dame Julian lived. Not much is known for certain of the life of this remarkable woman, who was the first woman to write a book in English. What is certain is that in May 1373, when she was 30 and a half years old, she suffered an illness of such severity that she was expected to die. As her priest lifted the cross above her bed her pain left her and she received her “shewings”, visions of Christ’s passion overlaid with other images and the nature of Christ's love. more>>> Posted on 05/31/2010 5:04 PM by NER
Comments
1 Jun 2010
 Paul Blaskowicz
Esmé - I know Norfolk ("very flat") reasonably well. I hope yr article about Dame Julian and description of the superb architecture and historical religious associations in Norwich and the rest if the county will encourage readers to visit. I wonder if you know this very interesting and well-researched essay which traces the possible Jewish roots of Dame Julian. Unfortunately the writer's knowledge of Islam seems scant; in his few allusions to it he treats it as worthy of as much respect as Judaism and Christianity. Norwich had the second largest Jewish community in England before the Edict of Expulsion (1290) 6 Jun 2010
Esmerelda Weatherwax
Thanks for that. I knew the website, which has all manner of fascinating stuff, but not that particular essay, which was very interesting. |