Women as Readers, Women as the Subject of Early English Devotional Literature (Especially in the Example of Ancrene Wisse)

Abstract

In the example of Middle English anchoritic guide from the 13th century Ancrene Wisse, the chapter explores how the formal, stylistic and motivic plane of the text is influenced by the fact that it was originally intended for a female audience.

Keywords

• Women readers
• anchoresses
• anchoritic guide