Legend of Holy Women

Dr. Sheila Delany is an emerita professor of English at Simon Fraser University.

"The present translation is smooth and readable. It is based on the 1938 EETS edition of the Legendys of Hooly Wummen by Mary Serjeantson.... On the whole this is an attractive book that may introduce Bokenham to new readers." —The Ricardian"We must be grateful to Ms. Delany for the assiduity of her well-researched and perceptive study of the life and works of this little known clerical poet." —Times Literary Supplement"Why did Bokenham focus almost exclusively on women of the early church, women whose virtue was constituted by their unflinching acceptance of torture? Delany suggests that "the sadistic sexual politics of hagiography .. . is met by the affirmative sexual politics of moral strength and spiritual victory." It is Delany's achievement to facilitate the exploration of this problem by producing this fine translation of Bokenham's work." —Renaissance Quarterly