ANCRENE RIWLE (Rule of the Anchoresses -). — Ascetical treatise of unknown authorship, dedicated to recluses and anchoresses, composed before 1225. A distinguished literary and historical document, also for the prose in which it is written (a dialect of Wessex), it has been attributed by a recent hypothesis (J. R. C. Hall, Selections from Early Middle English, II, Cambridge, p. 375) to St. Gilbert of Sempringham (between 1135 and 1154).
After an introduction, in eight parts (divine service, custody of the heart and senses, monastic life and its virtues, external and internal temptations, confession, penance, love, domestic rules), there is a systematic exposition of precepts and counsels for a life devoted to prayer and work. The anchoresses in question did not live in complete solitude, for the author addresses three women who live in community. The text, in simple and unadorned style, original and lively, abounds in vivid and realistic descriptive touches. The spiritual doctrine is marked by kindly wisdom and moderation: for example, the anchoress is advised against the use of the hair-shirt, excessive abstinence, and is permitted to keep a cat for companionship.