The library of the Ruusbroec Society, a study group at the University of Antwerp, recently acquired four medieval manuscripts, two of which were written by women.
"We are constantly discovering that women played a crucial role, not only in the consumption and conservation of manuscripts, but also in their production," the researchers stressed.
This acquisition will enhance the library's collection and stimulate ongoing research, particularly into the role of women in the production of medieval manuscripts.
According to the researchers, the traditional image that associates the production of manuscripts with monks is outdated, as women, particularly nuns, also played an important role in this field.
Among the manuscripts acquired are 14th-century fragments of Geert Grote's Latin translation of Jan van Ruusbroec's Die Gheestelike Brulocht, as well as an early 15th-century manuscript compiling texts on St Patrick's purgatory, a text on the Ten Commandments and a translation of a famous German mystical work.
