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Abstract:

This contribution investigates how the Cistercian tradition, especially through Beatrice of Nazareth (†1268), was critically reused by Marguerite Porete (†1310) in chapter 118 of her Mirror of Simple Souls. The descriptions of mystical ascent and union in these texts bear marked similarities. This contribution thus nuances the general assumption that Beatrice and Marguerite belong to different spiritual schools, and sheds new light on Marguerite as a critical heir of her sources. Each of the seven manners in Beatrice's text and seven states in Marguerite's text is analysed in detail, both with respect to literary form and mysticaltheological content.