Jan van Ruusbroec
The sources, content and sequels of his mysticism
P. Mommaers (Author), N. De Paepe (Author),
On December 2nd. 1381 one of the great masters of the Christian mystical tradition, Jan van Ruusbroec, died in his religious house of Groenendaal. The sixth centenary year, 1981, was marked by a variety of commemorative acts, and the Institute of Mediaeval studies of the ‘Katholieke Universiteit Leuven’ in collaboration with the Ruusbroec-genootschap (University Faculties of St. Ignatius Antwerp) decided to dedicate its yearly International Academic Colloquium to the theme: Jan van Ruusbroec. The eleven studies published in the present volume were written by a Group of specialists, who read the original versions before an international audience present in Leuven from the 18th to the 20th of May.
Preface
Paul Verdeyen, Essai de biographie critique
Edmund Colledge and J.C. Marler, ‘Poverty of the Will’
Franz-Josef Schweitzer, ‘Caritatem habe, et fac quod vis!’ – Die ‘Freien Geister’ in der Darstellung Jans van Ruusbroec und in Selbstzeugnissen
G. Epiney-Burgard, L’influence des béguines sur Ruusbroec
James A. Wiseman, Minne in Die gheestelike brulocht
Paul Mommaers, Une phrase clef des Noces Spirituelles
Herman W.J. Vekeman, Vriendschap in de Middelnederlandse mystiek. De plaats van Ruusbroec
Gérald Chaix, L’édition de 1552 et la réception de Ruusbroec au XVIe siècle
Peter C. Erb, The Use of Ruusbroec among German Protestants
Guido de Baere, Die neue Ruusbroec-Edition und ihr erster Band, das Boecsken der verclaringhe
Helen Rolfson, Ruusbroec in American English
Index
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "Jan van Ruusbroec" about?
On December 2nd. 1381 one of the great masters of the Christian mystical tradition, Jan van Ruusbroec, died in his religious house of Groenendaal. The sixth centenary year, 1981, was marked by a variety of commemorative acts, and the Institute of Mediaeval studies of the ‘Katholieke Universiteit Leuven' in collaboration with the Ruusbroec-genootschap (University Faculties of St. Ignatius Antwerp) decided to dedicate its yearly International Academic Colloquium to the theme: Jan van Ruusbroec. The eleven studies published in the present volume were written by a Group of specialists, who read the original versions before an international audience present in Leuven from the 18th to the 20th of May.
Who wrote "Jan van Ruusbroec"?
"Jan van Ruusbroec" was written by P. Mommaers and N. De Paepe.
Is "Jan van Ruusbroec" part of a series?
Yes, "Jan van Ruusbroec" is part of the "Mediaevalia Lovaniensia" series. It's book 12 in the series.
The longstanding, peer-reviewed book series Mediaevalia Lovaniensia. Studies in Medieval History, Society, and Culture publishes high-quality scholarship on the history and culture of the Middle Ages (c. 500–1550). Topics of particular interest to the series include, but are not limited to, social behaviour and power relations in medieval society, processes of identity formation, religious and urban culture, medieval thought and literature, and gender history. The series focuses on Europe and the wider Mediterranean world and is particularly rich in interdisciplinary approaches. By means of monographs and edited volumes, the series explores thematic frontiers and embraces innovative methodological approaches in historical and philological scholarship that is based on an in-depth source-based study.
Mediaevalia Lovaniensia accepts monographs as well as thematically coherent volumes in English. Moreover, it offers scholars the possibility to publish critical editions of primary texts with broader relevance to the understanding of medieval culture and society. The series aspires to publish books that have the potential to become reference works in the field of Medieval Studies.
We encourage early career (postdoctoral) researchers to submit a reworked version of their PhD thesis to this series. Leuven University Press provides authors with two publishing scenarios: traditional (non-Open Access) and the option to publish in Open Access (including language editing).
Editorial Board
Jelle Haemers (KU Leuven)
Jeroen Deploige (Ghent University)
Brigitte Meijns (KU Leuven)
Chanelle Delameillieure (KU Leuven - KULAK)
Baudouin Van den Abeele (UCLouvain)
Proposals
Proposals and enquiries can be sent to one of the editorial board members. Please send a short abstract. Upon approval of the proposal, the full manuscript will be submitted to international blind peer review by two (external) experts. The editors strive towards completing the review of proposals within one month and of complete manuscripts within five months after submission. Manuscripts should preferably be (+/-) 80.000 to 120.000 words in length.
Please make use of the submission form to present your manuscript or proposal to our board.
Authors interested in Open Access can consult the available funding options.
Links & Resources
What is the Table of Contents for "Jan van Ruusbroec"?
Preface
Paul Verdeyen, Essai de biographie critique
Edmund Colledge and J.C. Marler, 'Poverty of the Will'
Franz-Josef Schweitzer, 'Caritatem habe, et fac quod vis!' - Die 'Freien Geister' in der Darstellung Jans van Ruusbroec und in Selbstzeugnissen
G. Epiney-Burgard, L'influence des béguines sur Ruusbroec
James A. Wiseman, Minne in Die gheestelike brulocht
Paul Mommaers, Une phrase clef des Noces Spirituelles
Herman W.J. Vekeman, Vriendschap in de Middelnederlandse mystiek. De plaats van Ruusbroec
Gérald Chaix, L'édition de 1552 et la réception de Ruusbroec au XVIe siècle
Peter C. Erb, The Use of Ruusbroec among German Protestants
Guido de Baere, Die neue Ruusbroec-Edition und ihr erster Band, das Boecsken der verclaringhe
Helen Rolfson, Ruusbroec in American English
Index
Related titles
Orality and Scribal Culture in the High Middle Ages
Timothy B. Noone (Author), Mark J. Clark (Author),
October 2026
Toekomstdromen
Maarten Van Dijck (Editor), Gerrit Verhoeven (Editor), Hans Cools (Editor),
October 2026
Trend en toeval – vierde editie
Bruno Blondé (Author), Isabelle Devos (Author), Jord Hanus (Author), Wouter Ryckbosch (Author),
August 2026
Political Exile in the Global Twentieth Century
Wolfram Kaiser (Editor), Piotr H. Kosicki (Editor),
April 2026
Christian Democracy and the Fall of Communism
Michael Gehler (Editor), Piotr H. Kosicki (Editor), Helmut Wohnout (Editor),
April 2026
Brusselse plaatsnamen
Iadine Degryse (Editor), Benjamin Wayens (Editor), Chantal Kesteloot (Editor), Dennis De Vriese (Editor), Matthijs Degraeve (Editor),
April 2026
Cartographies of Catastrophes
Laura Demeter (Editor), Carmen M. Enss (Editor), Piotr Kisiel (Editor), Carol Ludwig (Editor),
February 2026
Thomas Aquinas and Hervaeus Natalis on Concepts and Intentional Objects
Fabrizio Amerini (Author),
February 2026
