Anchorites and Anchoresses in the Middle Ages

Last week's article provided a brief introduction to the early anchorites of the Christian church including Stylites. This weeks will discuss anchorites and anchoresses in the Middle Ages.

Canonists distinguish four separate types of anchorites, or hermits. First, there are those who have taken monastic vows approved of by the Church, including the Hermits of St. Augustine and Hermits of St. Jerome. Next, those who live in common with others in a form of life approved of by the bishop, but without having taken monastic vows. In some cases, canons and canonesses would fit this description. Then there are those who without community adopt a hermetic life with the approval of the bishop, and are assigned to a church or oratory by him. Finally, there are those who live under no rule and do not place themselves under the control of the bishop. (See http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01462b.h... for a source for the above)

Anchorites and anchoresses existed from the earliest days of Christianity, as was discussed in the previous article. Throughout the Middle Ages, individuals seeking a religious life occasionally found their calling as anchorites or anchoresses. Church history records a handful holy enough to be sainted scattered throughout the Middle Ages; however, anchorites and anchoresses were most prominent in late medieval England.

Of these varying types of anchorites and anchoresses, the third type is particularly relevant for their prominence in late medieval England. The vows taken as an anchoress or anchorite included seclusion, often by being walled into an area of a church, and were taken quite seriously. Anchoresses and anchorites in medieval England typically lived out their lives in anchorets, small areas on the north wall of churches, with a window allowing access for food and religious observation. The anchoress was henceforth considered dead to the outside world.

Of the many anchorites and anchoresses of late medieval England, Julian of Norwich is the best known. Julian is known for her "Revelations of Divine Love" a mystical text describing her own encounter with divinity. For more information on Julian, please see http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/julian....

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