Description
Book SynopsisJohn of Ruusbroec (1293-1381) is one of the most important mystical authors in the Christian tradition. This Companion provides a comprehensive overview of Ruusbroec studies, including a survey of the mystical tradition in the Low Countries before Ruusbroec, a discussion of his life and works, the manuscript tradition, the most significant mystical-theological and literary themes, Latin translations of his work, and the widespread resonance of his thought across Europe until 1800. Finally, it offers a summary of secondary research since the nineteenth century. To complement the range of scholarly articles, this Companion also includes the first English translation of a series of Middle Dutch texts that offer deeper insight into Ruusbroec, his thought, and his mystical and literary context. Contributors include: Jos Andriessen, John Arblaster, Guido De Baere, Rob Faesen, Bernard McGinn, Hilde Noë, Kees Schepers, Loet Swart, Rik Van Nieuwenhove, and Lieve Uyttenhove.
Trade Review“The articles in A Companion to John of Ruusbroec are solid, lucid, and rooted in Ruusbroec’s writings and the relevant secondary literature. They address satisfactorily the central questions associated with his life, mysticism, manuscript tradition, influence, and historiography. Moreover, enhancing and providing further clarification … are numerous maps and illustrations (several of which are in color), including maps of fourteenth-century Brussels and Ruusbroec’s world in the Brabant, and images of manuscript versions of his works as well as printed editions. Indeed, the Companion is a superlative collection of articles and could certainly now be considered the starting point for native English speakers – and really anyone – interested in John of Ruusbroec.” Andrew J.G. Drenas, University of Massachusetts-Lowell. In: Sixteenth Century Journal, Vol. 45, No. 1 (2015), pp. 148-150. “the present volume is a welcome contribution to the work of this important late medieval mystic.” John T. Slotemaker, Fairfield University. In: Religious Studies Review, Vol. 42, No. 4 (December 2016), p. 302.
Table of ContentsList of Contributors List of Maps and Illustrations Introduction John Arblaster & Rob Faesen Mysticism in the Low Countries Before Ruusbroec John Arblaster & Rob Faesen John of Ruusbroec’s Life and Works John Arblaster & Rob Faesen Ruusbroec in Edition: Manuscript and Print Guido de Baere Ruusbroec the Author Hilde Noë Essential Themes in Ruusbroec’s Mysticism Bernard McGinn Ruusbroec as a Theologian: The Holy Spirit Lieve Uyttenhove Ruusbroec, Jordaens, and Herp on the Common Life: The Transformation of a Spiritual Ideal Rik Van Nieuwenhove Ruusbroec in Latin: Impulses and Impediments Kees Schepers Ruusbroec’s Influence Until c.1800 Jos Andriessen Overview of Ruusbroec Research Loet Swart Appendices (Middle Dutch texts related to Ruusbroec translated by John Arblaster): Appendix One: Pseudo-Hadewijch Appendix Two: Two Poems attributed to Ruusbroec Appendix Three: The Prologue by Brother Gerard of Saintes Appendix Four: The Epilogue by the ‘Descendant’ (Nacomelinc) Appendix Five: The Eulogy of John of Ruusbroec by Jan van Leeuwen Bibliography Index
