Born: 1342, probably Norwich, Norfolk, England
Died: after 1416
Julian of Norwich was an English mystic and author of Revelations of Divine Love, an extraordinary record of medieval religious experience. She was born in Norwich, England. When she was 30 years old, she suffered a grave illness. While convalescing, she claimed to experience a series of 16 ecstatic visions of Christ’s passion and of the Virgin Mary, which she recorded first in a short version and, about 20 years later, in an expanded version. Revelations is remarkable for the author’s profound understanding of the Christian mysteries; for the depth of her insight into her own experience; and for the conviction, intelligence and beauty of her expression. She later became known as Mother, or Dame, Julian. During the latter part of her life, she lived as an anchoress, or hermit, at Saint Julian’s Church in Norwich. She is considered one of the greatest English mystics.
