Christina of Markyate

Samuel Fanous is a tutor and lecturer in the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Oxford.Henrietta Leyser is a tutor at St. Peter's College, University of Oxford, and the author of Medieval Women.

• List of illustrations, Acknowledgements, Abbreviations, Notes on contributors, A Note on the Life, Preface, 1 Christina of Markyate: the introduction, 2 Christina of Markyate: the literary background, 3 St Albans and women’s monasticism: lives and their foundations in Christina’s world, 4 Christina of Markyate and the double crown, 5 The unknown pilgrim: drama and romance in the Life of Christina of Markyate, 6 The loves of Christina of Markyate, 7 The marriages of Christina of Markyate, 8 Ranulf Flambard and Christina of Markyate, 9 Dining at Markyate with Lady Christina, 10 Alternative intimacies: men, women and spiritual direction in the twelfth century, 11 Christina’s tempting: sexual desire and women’s sanctity, 12 The St Albans Psalter: the abbot and the anchoress, 13 The Life of St Alexis, 475–1125, 14 Christina of Markyate and the hermits and anchorites of England, List of sites and hermits, Select bibliography, Index of names and places

'The Life of Christina of Markyate is perhaps the fullest and most vivid account of a woman coming down to us from the twelth century.' - The Tablet'Attractively produced and well-illustrated collection of essays offering a comprehensive interdisciplinary contextualisation of Christina of Markayate.' - Journal of Ecclesiastical History'The overall scholarly quality of the anthology is high, with the combination of breadth and depth it will make an indispensable resource for scholars and students interested in Christina.' - Bella Millett, University of Southampton'This solid volume clarifies how medieval women could achieve spiritual empowerment through the ancient strategy of ascetic feminism.' - Revue D'Histoire Ecclesiastique