Christina of Markyate

Samuel Fanous and Henrietta Leyser present a vivid interdisciplinary study devoted to the life, work and extant vita of Christina of Markyate, which draws on research from a wide range of disciplines.
This fascinating and comprehensive collection surveys the life of an extraordinary medieval woman. Christina of Markyate made a vow of chastity at an early age, against the wishes of her parents who intended her to marry. When forced into wedlock, she fled in disguise and went into hiding, receiving refuge in a network of hermitages. Christina became a religious recluse and eventually founded a priory of nuns attached to St. Albans.
Beautifully illustrated, this book provides students who regularly encounter Christina with a research compendium from which to begin their studies, and introduces Christina to a wider audience.

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.

'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