Marguerite Porete
Beguine mystic burned for a book on the soul annihilated in divine love.
Overview
A French Beguine and mystic, Marguerite Porete wrote The Mirror of Simple Souls, a bold work of love-mysticism describing the soul's ascent through seven stages to 'annihilation' — a state in which, emptied of self and will, it becomes one with God's love. Condemned as heretical, she refused to recant and was burned at the stake in Paris in 1310 — yet her book circulated widely (anonymously) and shaped later mysticism, including Meister Eckhart.
What they supported — and why
The annihilated soul
SupportedThe highest soul is 'annihilated', emptied of self-will so that God loves and acts through it.
WhyOnly a soul that has released its own will and even its own works can be wholly united with, and moved by, divine love.
Love above reason and the virtues
SupportedThe soul united to God transcends the ordinary rule of reason and the striving of the virtues.
WhyHaving become one with Love itself, such a soul no longer strives for virtue — it possesses their very source.
The two churches
SupportedA 'Holy Church the Great' of free, loving souls stands higher than the 'Holy Church the Little' of external observance.
WhyInner union with God surpasses mere outward religion, though it does not despise it.
Causes championed
- Mystical union through annihilation of the will
- The freedom of love
- The interior over the external
Issues wrestled with
- What is the soul's highest state?
- Does union transcend the virtues?
- How do inner and outer religion relate?
Hurdles faced
- Condemnation of her book
- Refusal to recant or answer her judges
- Burned at the stake in 1310
Works & books
1 catalogued. Status shows how much survives to today.
The Mirror of Simple Souls
SurvivesHer dialogue of love-mysticism on the soul's annihilation in God; long circulated anonymously.
Read the texts free
Their works online — Open Library catalogues 1 works & editions.
The influence network
See Marguerite Porete in the map →Influenced by
Influenced
In their words
“This soul has no will, for she has given it all to God.”
— The Mirror of Simple Souls (paraphrase)
Legacy
A woman philosopher-mystic martyred for her book, whose vision of the annihilated soul deeply shaped Eckhart and the mysticism of love.
Further reading
Cross-checked against these authoritative references.