The Life of Saint Douceline, a Beguine of Provence

The Life of Douceline de Digne introduces to an English-speaking audience a 13th-century woman mystic (d.1274) of great significance in the study of female spirituality in the middle ages. Douceline combined an active life of community service (as Mother of the beguine community the Ladies of Roubaud) with vigorous mysticism, and was the focus of an intense cult in Provence after her death. The Life, probably written by Philippa de Porcellet, a member of Douceline's community in Marseilles, is complemented by a study of Douceline's importance in terms of her own spiritual experience, and also as founder and leader of the community, dedicated followers of Franciscan spirituality; she is also compared to other holy women of the later middle ages, especially the beguines of northern Europe.