The term anchoress often surfaces in historical novels and discussions about medieval spirituality, conjuring an image of a woman walled away in a small cell. An anchoress was a female religious recluse who withdrew from the world to pursue a life of intense prayer and ascetic devotion. Unlike a nun enclosed within a monastery, an anchoress was typically walled into a small anchorhold attached to a church, voluntarily embracing a form of solitary confinement for spiritual purposes.
The Historical Practice of Anchoring
The practice of becoming an anchoress peaked during the Middle Ages, particularly in the 13th and 14th centuries across Europe. These women sought a direct, personal relationship with God, free from the distractions of secular life and even the social interactions common in monastic settings. The vocation was open to women from various backgrounds, though it was most common for affluent women who could provide for their physical needs through donations or inheritances. The decision to become an anchoress was a serious one, often involving a public ceremony and a formal vow of stability, signifying a permanent commitment to the anchorhold.
The Anchorhold: A Walled Cell
Physically, the anchorhold was a small room, sometimes no larger than a closet, built into the wall of a parish church. The anchoress would enter through a heavy door, often sealed except for a small opening that allowed her to receive communion and, occasionally, speak with a confessor or spiritual advisor. This window, known as the "harrow window," served a dual purpose: it allowed the anchoress to witness the church services without being seen, maintaining her separation from the congregation while still participating vicariously in the communal worship. The interior was spartan, containing only the bare essentials for survival and contemplation, such as a small bed, a simple altar, and a shelf for books.
Daily Life and Spiritual Discipline
Life within the anchorhold was governed by a strict regimen of prayer, meditation, and manual work. The anchoress’s day was structured around the Divine Office, the liturgical prayers recited at specific times. She would spend hours in silent contemplation, reading religious texts, and engaging in intense spiritual warfare, which she believed was necessary to atone for the sins of the living world. While physically isolated, she was not entirely alone; she remained connected to the community through her prayers, which were believed to offer protection and intercession. Many anchorites kept a small window or "squint" to observe the Eucharist being celebrated on the altar below, allowing her to "see" the Mass without being present.
The Symbolism and Purpose
Becoming an anchoress was not an escape from life but a radical immersion into a different kind of existence. It represented a rejection of worldly values such as marriage, property, and social status in favor of a singular focus on the divine. The anchoress served as a living symbol of the soul's journey toward God, embodying the ideals of purity, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. For the community, she acted as a spiritual guardian, a living relic of devotion whose presence was thought to sanctify the church and offer a model of ultimate commitment.
Literary and Cultural Legacy
Perhaps the most famous literary depiction of an anchoress is found in Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," where the "Nun's Priest's Tale" references the character of Dame Pertelote, though the most direct exploration is found in Julian of Norwich. However, the most renowned historical anchoress is likely Julian of Norwich, who lived in the 14th century. She is known for being the first woman to write a book in the English language, "Revelations of Divine Love," which was based on a series of mystical visions she experienced while living in her anchorhold. Her work remains a cornerstone of Christian mysticism. The anchoress also appears in modern works like Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," where the figure is used to explore themes of isolation, control, and female piety.
