Vadstena abbey was one of the most powerful religious institutions of Sweden in the Middle Ages. This thesis analyses two specific aspects of this position: the position of Vadstena abbey as an agent in the political space of the late Middle Ages, and the political ideals propagated by that institution. Sermons written for the feast days of Nordic saints constitute the central source material for this study. Sermons were the most efficient mass media of the medieval world and at an institution like Vadstena, preachers could hope to reach thousands of people from all social groups. Using the sermons I have analysed the political ideals propagated by the abbey. In the beginning of the period, the abbey taught an ideal close to that of Bernard of Clairvaux, an ideology of the supremacy of religious institutions over temporal ones, the priests as the lights of society and the unique authority of saint Birgitta. They berated the temporal powers for not following the dictates of the church and maintained that such behaviour would lead to ruin. Towards the middle of the 15th century a significant change occurred. The brothers began to teach that an evil king and tyrant was still legitimate, since his misrule was part of God’s plan. This change in the political ideals is related to a change in the position of the abbey in relation to temporal powers. After being relatively autonomous the abbey gradually became less so. This, I argue, is due to the strengthening of the institution of monarchy during a period otherwise seen as simply chaotic.

<p>This dissertation contains an edition of <i>Dyalogus super Reuelacionibus beate Birgitte</i>, which is a discussion and defence of the Revelations (<i>Reuelaciones</i>) of St. Birgitta of Sweden (ca. 1303-1373). In legal proceedings at the Council of Basle (1431-1449), the <i>Reuelaciones</i> were accused of heresy, examined and defended. Among the defenders was Heymericus de Campo (1395-1460), who at that time was professor of theology at the University of Cologne. In addition to the formal examination reports, Heymericus wrote a dialogue on the subject. The <i>Dyalogus</i>, which was probably composed as a contribution to a debate, is tentatively dated to have been written between October 1434 and February 17, 1435. The main part of <i>Dyalogus </i>consists of 123 text passages extracted from the <i>Reuelaciones</i> and accused of heresy, and Heymericus’ defence of these text passages. The aim of the defence is to prove that the <i>Reuelaciones</i> are truly orthodox and thus inspired by God. In addition, Heymericus intends to display the reasons and arguments the impugners had for questioning the <i>Reuelaciones</i>. <i>Dyalogus</i> and the other defences were read and copied foremost within the Birgittine order. The judgement passed at the proceedings called for a commentary before the <i>Reuelaciones</i> could be disseminated to the whole of their extent. To the Birgittines the defences of Basle filled this purpose, at least for some time. </p><p>The extensive introduction of the thesis deals with the historical context of the text, its use and importance, its place within the author’s literary production, the contents and language of the text, and finally the textual transmission. Vadstena Abbey’s copy of the text is chosen as base manuscript for the edition.</p>

This dissertation contains an edition of Dyalogus super Reuelacionibus beate Birgitte, which is a discussion and defence of the Revelations (Reuelaciones) of St. Birgitta of Sweden (ca. 1303-1373). In legal proceedings at the Council of Basle (1431-1449), the Reuelaciones were accused of heresy, examined and defended. Among the defenders was Heymericus de Campo (1395-1460), who at that time was professor of theology at the University of Cologne. In addition to the formal examination reports, Heymericus wrote a dialogue on the subject. The Dyalogus, which was probably composed as a contribution to a debate, is tentatively dated to have been written between October 1434 and February 17, 1435. The main part of Dyalogus consists of 123 text passages extracted from the Reuelaciones and accused of heresy, and Heymericus’ defence of these text passages. The aim of the defence is to prove that the Reuelaciones are truly orthodox and thus inspired by God. In addition, Heymericus intends to display the reasons and arguments the impugners had for questioning the Reuelaciones. Dyalogus and the other defences were read and copied foremost within the Birgittine order. The judgement passed at the proceedings called for a commentary before the Reuelaciones could be disseminated to the whole of their extent. To the Birgittines the defences of Basle filled this purpose, at least for some time. The extensive introduction of the thesis deals with the historical context of the text, its use and importance, its place within the author’s literary production, the contents and language of the text, and finally the textual transmission. Vadstena Abbey’s copy of the text is chosen as base manuscript for the edition.

Syon Abbey, established as the first Birgittine monastery in England in 1415, quite soon became a powerful institution within the order. Although often asserting their own conceptions of the Rule, the English Birgittines still sought the advice of Vadstena, their mother house, when it came to certain important matters concerning monastic life. The present work contains editions of two Latin texts: Responsiones, a document consisting of 175 questions and answers on the Birgittine Rule and daily life in the monastery, and Collacio, a sermon reflecting similar matters. The first part of the Responsiones consists of answers to five questions, sent from Syon to Sweden by letter. An important issue concerns the leadership in the monastery and the role of the Birgittine brothers. Were they to be seen as monks, living in their own monastery, or as religious assistans to the sisters? The second part was written as a direct result of two English brothers visiting Vadstena in 1427 and contains 170 questions and answers dealing with various matters of importance: how to interpret certain Birgittine texts, regulations on food, silence and speech as well as questions on preaching, liturgy and introduction into the monastery. The Collacio, in the manuscript said to have been presented to the Swedish community, was probably written by Syon’s conservator, the Benedictine abbot John Whethamstede of St Albans. Written in a highly metaphorical language rich in references to the Bible and Classical authors, the message to the Birgittine order is clear: first, it is wrong to have two leaders (confessor general as well as abbess) in one community; second, the Birgittines should strive to dispose of later additions and explanations and seek the original and true intentions of the foundress, Saint Birgitta. The thesis contains an introduction, editions with translations, glossary, indices, bibliography and plates.