A selection of writings from the "Ancrene Wisse", a guide for female recluses written in the West Midlands in the early 13th century, and the closely related religious works of the "Katherine Group". This edition is designed to introduce them to a wider audience.

The Ancrene Wisse, a guide for female recluses in the West Midlands in the early thirteenth century, and the closely related works of the "Katherine Group," offer vivid and fascinating insights into the religious life of the time. The difficulty of the language however, which skillfully blends Latin and native English stylistic traditions, has made the documents largely inaccessible to all but experts in Middle English. This edition presents the works in a new and readable critical text that includes interspersed translations, notes, a select glossary, and a general introduction, making this volume highly useful to undergraduates and generalists with limited knowledge of Middle English.

'The introduction, without being enormously extensive, is quite satisfyingly informative; the translations are probably as smooth and idiomatic as it is possible to make them, the apparatus easy to use, and the scholarship conforms to the high standards set by previous writings of Millett and Wogan-Browne ... very solid and competent edition.' Claire Fanger, University of Toronto, English Studies, Volume 73, NUmber 6, December 1992