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.