Table of Contents

Acknowledgments General Introduction General Bibliography Abbreviations I. The Legend of St. Frideswide of Oxford, an Anglo-Saxon Royal Abbess Introduction and Select Bibliography Shorter South English Legendary Life of St. Frideswide Explanatory Notes Textual Notes Longer South English Legendary Life of St. Frideswide Explanatory Notes Textual Notes II. The Legend of Mary Magdalen, Penitent and Apostle Introduction and Select Bibliography Early South English Legendary Life of Mary Magdalen Explanatory Notes Textual Notes John Mirk, Sermon on St. Mary Magdalen Explanatory Notes Textual Notes Mary Magdalen, from Speculum Sacerdotale Notes III. Three Popular Legends of Virgin Martyrs (a) Margaret of Antioch Introduction and Select Bibliography Stanzaic Life of Margaret Explanatory Notes Textual Notes John Mirk, Sermon on St. Margaret Explanatory Notes Textual Notes John Lydgate, Lyfe of Seynt Margarete Explanatory Notes Textual Notes (b) Katherine of Alexandria Introduction and Select Bibliography Stanzaic Life of Katherine Explanatory Notes Textual Notes John Mirk, Sermon on St. Katherine Explanatory Notes Textual Notes St. Katherine, from Speculum Sacerdotale Notes Christina of Bolsena Introduction and Select Bibliography William Paris, Life of St. Christina Explanatory Notes Textual Notes IV. Legends of St. Anne, Mother of the Virgin Mary Introduction and Select Bibliography John Mirk, Sermon on the Conception of the Virgin Mary Explanatory Notes Textual Notes John Mirk, Sermon on St. Anne Explanatory Notes Textual Notes Osbern Bokenham, Life of St. Anne Explanatory Notes Textual Notes Glossary