Douceline de Digne, founder of the beguine community of the Ladies of
Roubaud in Provence, was an important woman mystic of her time;
contextual material includes comparison with the beguines of northern
Europe.
The Life of Douceline de Digne introduces to an English-speaking
audience a 13th-century woman mystic [d.1274] of great significance in
the study of female spirituality in the middle ages. Douceline combined
an active life of community service [as Mother of the beguine community
the Ladies of Roubaud] with vigorous mysticism, and was the focus of an
intense cult in Provence after her death. The Life, probably written by
Philippa de Porcellet, a member of Douceline's community in Marseilles,
is complemented by a study of Douceline's importance in terms of her own
spiritual experience, and also as founder and leader of the community,
dedicated followers of Franciscan spirituality; she is also compared to
other holy women of the later middle ages, especially the beguines of
northern Europe.