of Norwich Julian

author

of Norwich Julian

b. 1343

An English mystic and anchoress from Norwich, she is remembered for vivid spiritual writings that grew out of a series of visions during a serious illness. Her Revelations of Divine Love is widely regarded as the earliest surviving book in English known to have been written by a woman.

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Revelations of Divine Love

Revelations of Divine Love

by of Norwich Julian

About the author

Born around 1343, Julian of Norwich lived in medieval Norwich and became an anchoress, choosing a life of prayer and religious contemplation connected to St. Julian's Church, from which her name is usually taken.

She is best known for Revelations of Divine Love, a work based on visions she experienced in 1373 when she was gravely ill. The book survives in both a shorter and a longer version, and it has had a lasting influence on Christian devotional writing.

Much about her personal life remains uncertain, which is common for writers of her era. Even so, her voice feels strikingly direct and humane, combining theological reflection with warmth, hope, and compassion.