Katherine Group
Encyclopedia
The so-called Katherine Group is a group of five 13th century Middle English
texts composed by an anonymous author of the English West Midlands
. The texts are all addressed to anchoress
es (religious recluses) and praise the virtue of virginity
.
All five texts are preserved in the manuscript Bodley 34. All except Hali Meiðhad also in Royal 17 A XXVII. Additionally, Cotton Titus D XVIII has Sawles Warde, Seinte Katherine and Hali Meiðhad
J. R. R. Tolkien
repeatedly published on the Katherine Group, in Holy Maidenhood (1923), Some Contributions to Middle-English Lexicography and The Devil's Coach-Horses (1925), Ancrene Wisse and Hali Meiðhad
(1929) and "Iþþlen" in Sawles Warde (1947).
Middle English
Middle English is the stage in the history of the English language during the High and Late Middle Ages, or roughly during the four centuries between the late 11th and the late 15th century....
texts composed by an anonymous author of the English West Midlands
West Midlands (region)
The West Midlands is an official region of England, covering the western half of the area traditionally known as the Midlands. It contains the second most populous British city, Birmingham, and the larger West Midlands conurbation, which includes the city of Wolverhampton and large towns of Dudley,...
. The texts are all addressed to anchoress
Anchoress
Anchoress is a Canadian hardcore punk band that was formed in 2010.The band released their debut EP, Set Sail, via Bandcamp on 4 March 2011.-Members:* Rob Hoover – vocals* Keenan Federico – guitar* Chris Lennox-Aasen – drums* Ricky Castanedo – bass...
es (religious recluses) and praise the virtue of virginity
Virginity
Virginity refers to the state of a person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse. There are cultural and religious traditions which place special value and significance on this state, especially in the case of unmarried females, associated with notions of personal purity, honor and worth...
.
- the sermon Hali Meiðhad "holy maidenhood", directed at anchoresses or recluses, praising the virtues of virginity over worldly marriage. It was written in ca. 1182–1198 in the West MidlandsWest Midlands (region)The West Midlands is an official region of England, covering the western half of the area traditionally known as the Midlands. It contains the second most populous British city, Birmingham, and the larger West Midlands conurbation, which includes the city of Wolverhampton and large towns of Dudley,...
of England. - the allegory Sawles Warde "refuge of the souls"
- Seinte Juliene, life of Juliana of NicomediaJuliana of NicomediaSaint Juliana of Nicomedia is said to have suffered Christian martyrdom during the Diocletian persecution in 304. She was popular in the Middle Ages, especially in the Netherlands, as the patron saint of sickness.-Historical background:...
- Seinte Margarete, life of Margaret of Antioch
- Seinte Katherine, life of Catherine of AlexandriaCatherine of AlexandriaSaint Catherine of Alexandria, also known as Saint Catherine of the Wheel and The Great Martyr Saint Catherine is, according to tradition, a Christian saint and virgin, who was martyred in the early 4th century at the hands of the pagan emperor Maxentius...
.
All five texts are preserved in the manuscript Bodley 34. All except Hali Meiðhad also in Royal 17 A XXVII. Additionally, Cotton Titus D XVIII has Sawles Warde, Seinte Katherine and Hali Meiðhad
J. R. R. Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College,...
repeatedly published on the Katherine Group, in Holy Maidenhood (1923), Some Contributions to Middle-English Lexicography and The Devil's Coach-Horses (1925), Ancrene Wisse and Hali Meiðhad
Ancrene Wisse and Hali Meiðhad
"Ancrene Wisse and Hali Meiðhad" is a 1929 essay by J. R. R. Tolkien on the thirteenth century Middle English treatise Ancrene Wisse and on the tract on virginity Hali Meiðhad...
(1929) and "Iþþlen" in Sawles Warde (1947).
Hali Meiðhad
- Early English Text SocietyEarly English Text SocietyThe Early English Text Society is an organization to reprint early English texts, especially those only available in manuscript. Most of its volumes are in Middle English and Old English...
(1922) - A. F. Colborn (1940)
- Bella Millett (1972), ISBN 9780197222867
Literature
- Fletcher, A. J. (1993) "Black, white and grey in Hali Meidhad and Ancrene Wisse: evidence for dating from mention of religious orders' habits", in: Medium Aevum (1993)
- Millett, Bella (1996) Ancrene Wisse, the Katherine Group, and the Wooing Group ISBN 0859914291
- Millett, Bella & Wogan-Browne, J. (1990) Medieval English Prose for Women: selections from the Katherine Group and Ancrene Wisse. Oxford: Clarendon Press ISBN 9780198112051
- Tolkien, J. R. R.J. R. R. TolkienJohn Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College,...
Ancrene Wisse and Hali MeiðhadAncrene Wisse and Hali Meiðhad"Ancrene Wisse and Hali Meiðhad" is a 1929 essay by J. R. R. Tolkien on the thirteenth century Middle English treatise Ancrene Wisse and on the tract on virginity Hali Meiðhad... - Tolkien, J. R. R. The Devil's Coach HorsesThe Devil's Coach HorsesThe Devil's Coach Horses is a 1925 essay by J. R. R. Tolkien ....
External links
- Katherine Group (upenn.edu)