Module manager: Dr Marta Cobb
Email: m.k.d.cobb@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is approved as a discovery module
The later Middle Ages saw an increase in opportunities for women within the Christian church, the creation of many women saints, and the composition by women of many texts exploring spiritual experiences in their lives. In this module we will examine the content and context of these texts, as well as the way these women sought to establish their authority as visionaries at a time when the Church and society in general were largely dominated by men. Those who were successful might gain followers and eventually become saints, but those who failed might be executed as heretics. This module will also consider the issue of how these women bridged the perceived divide between the body and the soul, whether by denying, transcending, or transforming the female body. Questions about wider attitudes to women's writing in the Middle Ages, the position of mystics in the Christian church and the literary qualities of their writings will be addressed, as well as the ways in which women's mystical writing reflects contemporary expressions of popular piety, such as manuscript art, paintings and sculpture, with particular reference to images of the Crucifixion. The module will focus on the writings of the English mystics Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe, and on a range of Continental European women's writing, read in translation. Content note: this module engages with a range of issues relating to the body and sexuality. As such, the content, reading, and discussion will necessarily engage with some sensitive issues, including the threat of rape as well as torture and abuse in addition to behaviours resembling self-harm and eating disorders. We will also look at medieval artwork and texts depicting the Crucifixion, which will involve images and descriptions of blood, torture, and physical suffering. We will, of course, endeavour to treat these sensitively in class, but if you have any concerns about the content of the module, please contact the module tutor. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
This module aims to explore medieval religious experience as it is expressed in writings by and about medieval women visionaries. The learning activities will help you to critically analyse a range of medieval primary sources to consider how the voices and experiences of women are authorised at a time when women were not supposed to preach or teach. You will analyse how these sources are embedded in the wider culture of the later Middle Ages
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Evaluate the content and context of mystical writing by women in late Medieval Western Europe and compare the development of women's mystical writing across Europe in terms of its literary style, public reception, and religious status.
2. Explore the ways in which women's mystical writing reflects contemporary expressions of popular piety, such as manuscript art, paintings, and sculpture, with particular reference to images of the Crucifixion as well as male-authored mystical writings.
3. Assess the opportunities for a religious life available to women at this time as well as the social, political and religious factors which affected the production of literature by women.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4.Analyse primary source material, including artwork, evaluating different types of available evidence effectively.
5. Express complex ideas effectively.
6. Undertake research effectively.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 179.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will receive formative feedback by participating in seminar activities such as by working in small groups to discuss primary sources or questions, populating padlets with their own ideas and examples, or more general seminar discussions. Working with their peers will help build skills in communication, as well as critical thinking, analytical skills, and reflection.
Students will also be given opportunities to discuss their plans for their assessments, either amongst themselves or with the convenor.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Gobbets | 40 |
| Coursework | Analytical essay | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team