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Devotion and Obedience: a Devotio Moderna Construction of St Bridget of Sweden in Lincoln Cathedral Chapter Manuscript 114

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Devotion and Obedience: a Devotio Moderna Construction of St Bridget of Sweden in Lincoln Cathedral Chapter Manuscript 114 Devotion and Obedience: A devotio moderna construction of St Bridget of Sweden in Lincoln Cathedral Chapter Manuscript 114 Sara Danielle Mederos Doctor of Philosophy October 2016 Devotion and Obedience: A devotio moderna construction of St Bridget of Sweden in Lincoln Cathedral Chapter Manuscript 114 Sara Danielle Mederos A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Lincoln for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy October 2016 2 Abstract This thesis analyses the construction of the pious lay female in Lincoln Cathedral Manuscript MS 114, through the example of Saint Bridget of Sweden. MS 114 is a devotional manuscript compiled of nineteen different, individual, articles. These nineteen articles are arranged in two, nearly equal, parts. The first part includes several Birgittine texts whereas the second part provides a more thematic approach, emphasising the virtues of humility, chastity, and overall spiritual obedience. Compiled in the Netherlands, sometime during the early fifteenth century, MS 114’s articles were purposely chosen to form a single compilation and was meant to be read as an enhancement of one’s devotion. By analysing the contents of MS 114, its date and provenance, and putting it in the context of the religious movements of its original time and place, this thesis argues that MS 114 was an early manuscript of the devotio moderna movement; a religious movement which attracted many lay devotees and particular female members and which emphasised the use of literature and, in particular, of written examples of holy, female lay lives. MS 114 uses the life of Bridget of Sweden, other works about her, and extracts from other theological texts to explore two devotio moderna virtues. It considers what chastity means in the context of married lay women and depicts obedience, again with a specific emphasis on the behaviour of women. This thesis first explores the devotional movement of devotio moderna, taking place throughout the Low Countries from the late fourteenth century and 3 lasting until the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Keeping in mind the context and patterns of devotio moderna literature, the second chapter considers the manuscript’s date, provenance and contents. Using what was previously known of MS 114, and adding new information, this thesis will argue that MS 114 was an early manuscript from the devotio moderna movement. The final two chapters of this thesis will explore the depiction of Saint Bridget of Sweden as a model of female obedience in MS 114. The articles which are contained in MS 114 present Bridget in a specific way so as to highlight her obedience while minimising any controversial natures historically associated with both Bridget, as a person, but also women in general. Although the manuscript associates Bridget with characteristics of gender-based obedience, it also goes to great lengths to emphasise Bridget’s submissive, and correct, use of her voice. The manuscript’s decision to not include any of Bridget’s revelations, and its purposeful inclusion of only male-authored texts, leaves the reader with an understanding that Bridget was restrained when it came to using her voice. This differs greatly with other historical depictions of Bridget. The manuscript’s contents depict a value of silence and control over one’s voice to negate any unnecessary speech. In conclusion, this thesis will demonstrate how the character of St Bridget of Sweden is used in MS 114, to exemplify the ideals of the devotio moderna movement, and how devotio moderna’s understanding of Bridget as a model of obedience influenced devotio moderna’s later literature on women. 4 Table of Contents Abstract…………………………………………………………………………...3 Table of Contents………………………………………………………………...5 Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………….6 Dedication……………………………………………………………………….10 Notes……………………………………………………………………………..11 Introduction……………………………………………………………………..12 Chapter One: Devotio Moderna and Fifteenth-Century Devotion.......................32 Modern Study of devotio moderna……………………………………… 33 Creating devotio moderna ……………………………………………….39 Urban Environment ……………………………………………………...45 Literacy and Devotion……………………………………………………52 Sister books: Literature for Imitation in devotio moderna ………………59 The Women of devotio moderna…………………………………………64 Chapter Two: Lincoln Cathedral Library Manuscript 114 Prologi Revelationum Sancti Birgittae etc …………………………………………………………… ...79 Lincoln Cathedral Manuscript 114…………………………………...…..83 Table A: Contents of Lincoln Cathedral Manuscript 114………..84 Bridget of Sweden………………………………………………………100 Bridget in the Manuscript ………………………………………………105 The Second Part of Ms114……………………………………………...114 Chapter Three: A Praiseworthy State: Chastity and St Bridget in Ms114 …...127 Bridget and Gender …………………………………………………….130 ‘Virginity, Marriage, and Widowhood are all Praiseworthy Stages’…...144 Bridget as Virgin ……………………………………………………….151 Bridget as Wife …………………………………………………………154 Bridget as Widow ………………………………………………………162 Chapter Four: Engaged Listener: Bridget’s Obedient Use of Voice in Ms114 ………………..167 Dangerous Voices………………………………………………………171 Control and Silence …………………………………………………….189 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………..207 Bibliography …………………………………………………………………...215 5 6 Acknowledgements Since the start of my doctorate, it has been this moment of writing the acknowledgements which I have looked forward to the most. While it is impossible to convey my sincere thanks in such as small space, the completion of this thesis, and the survival of my sanity, would not have been possible without the following individuals and groups. I am indebted to the School of History and Heritage, University of Lincoln for funding various parts of my research as well as conference trips. My research could not have been completed without the assistance of the staff and librarians of the University of Lincoln’s Great Warehouse Library, Lincoln Cathedral Chapter Library, J.B. Morrell Library at the University of York, Cambridge University Library, and the British Library. University of Lincoln’s Student Support Centre, and specifically Helen Cadogan, have been indispensable over the years when it came to all matters of finance. My various supervisors must be acknowledged, for without their kindness, patience, and understanding I would have never finished this project: Philippa Hoskin, thank you for offering to supervise me and staying with me during the various trials and tribulations that came with having an American student. I am grateful to Joanna Huntington, Jamie Wood and Michele Vescovi who supervised me at various points throughout my PhD, and were wonderful in every single way. The members of the various schools housed within the Media, Humanities, and Technology building at the University of Lincoln have become my British Family and have offered support and advice from the very beginning: Geoff Adams, Sarah Barrow, Erin Bell, Krista Cowman, Andrew Elliott, Cairo 7 Hickman, Kate Hill, Joy Knight, Antonella Liuzzo Scorpo, Ian Packer, Antonella Palmieri, Finn Pollard, Rob Portass, Sanem Sahin, Sara Slinn, and Debbie Wilson. Hollie Allen, Kimm Curran, Laura DelBrugge, Abi Dorr, Ellen Espinosa, Kelly Feinstein-Johnson, Eileen Ford-Holstege, Angela Gilley, Sam Howden, Dorothy Kim, Cassie Lawrenson, Brittney Lew, Carole Mederos, Hollie Morgan, Kathleen Neal, Caroline Palmer, Zita Rohr, Anna Scott, Rebecca Searby, Nuría Silleras-Fernandez, Sally Spong, Marianne Wilson, Eleanor Woodacre, and Rachel Yemm have all commented on early drafts of this thesis, various conference papers which then turned into chapters, or have been a part of important discussions leading to my eventual conclusions. Any, and all, mistakes remain my own, but I am infinitely grateful for their time and input. There are only a few History PhD students at Lincoln, but I could not have asked for any better. To Anna Scott, Rachel Yemm, Abi Dorr, Sam Howden, and Diane Ranyard, thank you for deciding to do doctorates, you might regret it later but my life has been better because of you. And from the lay perspective, Emily Eddy-Fuller, Ellen Espinosa, Eileen Ford-Holstege, Cassie Ly, Zoe Redfern, Josefine Walloman, and Kristin Røsjø have all helped my life be something other than medieval saints. Unfortunately, I am unable to name, in detail, everyone who has helped throughout this journey. However, I would be remiss if I did not mention at least a few: To Vice Chancellor, Professor Mary Stuart and Linda Marshall: all that I have been able to accomplish, and everything that I am is largely because of your help, and my immense thanks cannot be confined to words. Thank you for letting me be part of a truly tremendous university. To Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Ieuan Owen, thank you for showing me what it takes to be part of the 8 Vice Chancellor’s Office, and for letting me teach you to become the most educated engineer in medieval Birgittine studies. Nuría Silleras Fernandez, you began as my freshman lecturer, later supervisor, and now friend. There are no words to convey how much I owe you and I cannot express in words all I wish, so I will say simply, thank you for changing my life. Sally Spong, your love and friendship kept me going, thank you for letting me complain about insignificant life happenings. My research thanks you highly for letting me stay at your home and dragging me to the University Library in Cambridge (my sanity thanks you for the gin). Thank you for letting me be a tourist on days when the library was closed,
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