Medieval anchorites in their communities
Gregynog Hall, Newtown, Powys: April 22 – April 24, 2014
Much of the work undertaken in the field of medieval anchoritism to date, particularly within an English context, has concentrated on the vocation’s role within the history of Christian spirituality, its function as a locus of (gendered) sacred space and its extensive ideological cultural work. However, in spite of Anneke Mulder-Bakker’s exhaustive work on the anchorites of the Low Countries (especially 2005 and 2012), only sporadic attention has been given to the anchorite as part of a community – whether social, intellectual, spiritual or religious – and as part of a widespread ‘virtual’ network of other anchorites and religious or ‘semi-religious’ figures spread across England and beyond.
The influence of continental experiences upon English anchoritism has also been underestimated, in spite of some evidence to the contrary. For example, the patrons and spiritual confessors of English anchorites did not necessarily limit their social, spiritual and intellectual activities to English contexts, and it is clear that texts of continental provenance – from the Low Countries and Italy, for example – were translated into Middle English from Latin for the consumption of English anchorites, but also for other enclosed religious and, in the later period, the devout laity.
In its focus on anchorites within their multifarious communities, this conference aims to unpick the apparent paradox of a ‘communal anchorite’ and the central role sometimes played by this simultaneously solitary and ideological figure within local and (inter)national political contexts, and within the arena of church critique and reform.
Offers of 20-minute papers are therefore sought on any aspect of medieval anchorites in their communities including (but not restricted to):
- Spiritual circles
- Communities of discourse
- Anchoritic/lay interaction
- Anchorites and church reform
- Networks of patronage
- Networks of anchorites
- Anchorite case studies
- Anchoritic friendship groups
- Book ownership/borrowing/lending/circulation
- Communities of texts: ‘anchoritic’ miscellanies/textual travelling companions
- Textual translation, circulation and mouvance
- Non-insular influence
- Gendered communities
Abstracts of up to 300 words, or requests for further informatoin, should be sent to Dr Liz Herbert McAvoy at Anchorites2014@swan.ac.uk by Monday, August 30th, 2013.
Conference Location
The 5th International Anchoritic Society conference, ‘Medieval Anchorites in their Communities’, will be held at the University of Wales’ conference centre, Gregynog Hall, in Newtown, Powys, Wales on April 22-24, 2014. A registration form with costs and further details will be available in the autum of 2013.
Source de l’information : Swansea University
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