The Mirror of Simple Souls by Margaret Porette

The Mirror of Simple Souls by Margaret Porette

This edition of The Mirror of the Simple Soul was originally published in 1927. At that time the author of the manuscript was unknown. It has since been attributed to Marguerite Porete, a French mystic. She was burnt at the stake for heresy in Paris in 1310 after a lengthy trial, after refusing to remove her book from circulation or recant her views. The book is cited as one the primary texts of the medieval Heresy of the Free Spirit. Porete's life is recorded only in accounts of her trial for heresy, at which she was condemned to be burnt at the stake. She is associated with the Beguine movement, and was therefore able to travel fairly freely. Until 1946, it was not even known that she was the writer of the Mirror, which had been published anonymously since her death. The title of Porete's book refers to the simple soul which is united with God and has no will other than His. Porete's vision of the Soul is of ecstatic union with God, moving in a state of perpetual joy and peace. Porete argues that the Soul in such a sublime state is above the demands of ordinary virtue, not because virtue is not needed but because in its state of union with God virtue becomes automatic. As God can do no evil and cannot sin, the exalted/Annihilated soul, in perfect union with Him, no longer is capable of evil or sin.

“This translation succeeds in making this significant text accessible to the modern reader” —Medium Aevum

“This translation of The Mirror of Simple Souls . . . has much to recommend it: clarity, rigorousness, and constant care to stay close to the French text.” —The Medieval Review

“The translation is the most readable to date, and is made more valuable by its textual notes.” —Anglican Theological Review

“Marguerite's Mirror, the only book we have by a medieval woman condemned for heresy, remains as fascinating and controversial as ever. Anyone with more than a passing interest in Christian spirituality will want to survey its giddy heights, and for the scholar of mysticism this . . . translation provides an invaluable guide.” —Canonical Counsel

“[A] welcome new translation of the mysterious French mystic Margaret (Marguerite) Porette’s (Porete) Mirror of Simple Souls.” —Mediaevistik

Margaret Porette (circa 1248/1250–1310) was a French-speaking mystic and the author of The Mirror of Simple Souls, a work of spirituality dealing with Divine Love. She was burned at the stake for heresy in Paris in 1310 after refusing to recant her views.

Edmund Colledge, O.S.A. (1910–1999), was a priest of the Augustinian Friars in England and professor emeritus, the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies in Toronto.

J. C. Marler is associate professor in the department of philosophy and the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies and assistant Vatican film librarian at Saint Louis University.

Judith Grant is a senior research fellow at the University of Auckland and the author of La Passiun de seint Edmund.

Kent Emery, Jr. is Professor Emeritus in the Program of Liberal Studies at the University of Notre Dame.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780268014353
ISBN 10	0268014353
Title	The Mirror of Simple Souls
Author	Margaret Porette
Series	Notre Dame Texts In Medieval Culture
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	University of Notre Dame Press
Year published	1999-05-15
Number of pages	298
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.