Revelations of Divine Love

'Just because I am a woman, must I therefore believe that I must not tell you about the goodness of God, when I saw at the same time both his goodness, and his wish that it should be known?' Coming from a society where women were barred from serious writing and teaching, Julian, an anchorite in the great medieval city of Norwich, nevertheless used the English vernacular of the day to describe an extraordinary series of 'showings' which she received from God. In the famous parable of the Lord and the Servant, she reveals her penetrating insight into the mystery of salvation; and she moves towards the controversial belief that God's love will not allow any of humankind to be lost.

Julian of Norwich (c. 1342 after 1416) was the first woman writer in English. Nothing is known of her background or even her real name, simply that she believed she was a messenger to all Christians because of her 'showings' from God.

A.C. Spearing and Elizabeth Spearing have published numerous books and articles on medieval literature.

Introduction
Further Reading
Translator's Note

Revelations of Divine Love

Short Text
Long Text
Notes
Appendix I: List of Showings
Appendix II: Original Texts of the Revelations
Appendix III: Margery Kempe's Meeting with Julian