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Julian of Norwich

The 14th-century mystic Mother Julian of Norwich has been gaining new admirers in recent years. Mark Tully asks what this visionary medieval theologian has to offer society now.

Mark Tully investigates the resurgence of interest in Mother Julian of Norwich.

Mother Julian was an anchoress, or hermit, who shut herself up in a cell, following a series of visions of Christ during a dangerous illness. She referred to herself as "a simple creature" and yet has been described as "the greatest English theologian".

Mark looks at the earliest manuscripts of her Revelations of Divine Love with bibliographic historian Dr Mary Wellesley at the British Library, and discusses the powerful appeal of the book considered to be the first by a woman writing in English.

Through readings and music inspired by Julian's life and work, he explores her increasing popularity with a modern audience and admirers, including the composer Roxanna Panufnik, the mystic and author Thomas Merton and the poet TS Eliot.

The readers are Jane Whittenshaw and David Westhead.

Presenter: Mark Tully
Producer: Frank Stirling

A 7digital production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 5 Nov 2023 06:05

Music Played

  • Roxanna Panufnik

    All Shall Be Well

    Performer: Exultate Singers.
    • All Shall Be Well.
    • Naxos.
  • Anonymous

    Tu civium primas for 4 voices [14th century (?Norwich MS)]

    Performer: The Hilliard Ensemble.
    • Medieval English Music - Masters of the 14th & 15th Centuries.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
  • Stephen Yarbrough

    All Love Unbounded

    Performer: Julian Trio.
    • Attracting Opposites: New Music for Piano Trio.
    • AZICA.
  • Sydney Carter

    Julian of Norwich

    Performer: Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem.
    • Wintersong.
    • Signiature Sounds.
  • James Whitbourn

    The Living Thing

    Performer: Commotio. Conductor: Matthew Berry.
    • Luminosity & Other Choral Works.
    • Naxos.
  • William Mathias

    As truly as God is our Father

    Performer: St Albans Cathedral and Abbey Church Choir, Usa, Tom Winpenny, Michael Papadopoulos.
    • Mathias: Choral Music.
    • Naxos.

Readings

Title: A Personal Pilgrimage听

Author: John Holmes听

Published by Christians Aware

Interview with Mary Wellesley


Title: Introduction to 1901 Revelations of Divine Love听

Author: Grace Warrack听

Published by Methuen

Title: The Anchorite Cell听

Author: Venetia Carse

Published by in Circle of Silence by Darts, Longman & Todd


Interview with Mary Wellesley

Title: Revelations of Divine Love听

Author: Julian of Norwich听

Broadcasts

  • Sun 28 Jan 2018 06:05
  • Sun 28 Jan 2018 23:30
  • Sun 5 Nov 2023 06:05