Peer-reviewed
The Master and Marguerite: Godfrey of Fontaines' praise of The Mirror of Simple Souls*
This article examines the evidence for the intellectual and practical relationship between Marguerite Porete and the secular master of theology Godfrey of Fontaines. It analyses the nature, timing, and importance of Godfrey's response to The Mirror of Simple Souls, and argues that considering the interaction between these two figures has important consequences for our understanding of both of their careers. * I am grateful to Robert E. Lerner for his help and encouragement (particularly because I know he does not agree with every argument put forward here), and for sharing with me a pre-publication copy of his forthcoming article, ‘New light on The Mirror of Simple Souls’. I further thank Cecilia Gaposchkin, Kathryn Kerby-Fulton, and the two anonymous readers for their criticisms and suggestions. A version of this paper was first presented at ‘Refreshment of the Scholars: A Symposium in Honor of Professor Robert E. Lerner’, held 31 May 2008 at Northwestern University. My thanks go to the organisers and participants of the conference, and to Kristen Johanson for unexpected inspiration on that last day of May and beyond. * I am grateful to Robert E. Lerner for his help and encouragement (particularly because I know he does not agree with every argument put forward here), and for sharing with me a pre-publication copy of his forthcoming article, ‘New light on The Mirror of Simple Souls’. I further thank Cecilia Gaposchkin, Kathryn Kerby-Fulton, and the two anonymous readers for their criticisms and suggestions. A version of this paper was first presented at ‘Refreshment of the Scholars: A Symposium in Honor of Professor Robert E. Lerner’, held 31 May 2008 at Northwestern University. My thanks go to the organisers and participants of the conference, and to Kristen Johanson for unexpected inspiration on that last day of May and beyond
Article, 2009
Journal of Medieval History, 35, 20090601, 136
2009