That women play a major part in shaping modern societies is accepted today as a matter of fact. This acknowledgement of feminine influence not only in the present, but also in history, is the main reason why there is a growing general interest in the question under which conditions women in premodern times were able to have an impact on the political, social, intellectual and religious issues of their era. In this context, the general objective of WIMPACT was to establish how late medieval mysticism (in particular Women’s) IMPACTed on the subsequent spiritual literature, practices and ways of life in premodern Castile.
In this sense, the Observant reform of the monastic communities undertaken by Cardinal Ximénez Cisneros (c. 1492-1517) is still an unrivalled starting point. The reformist crusade of the Cardinal was based on the ideals of asceticism, devotion and contemplation which he found reflected in some writings of the Late Medieval tradition. In fact, his campaign included the commission of a substantial list of vernacular translations of works by women mystics which were widespread throughout the Iberian Peninsula. Those books are said to have provided Castilian communities with models of discipline and self-reflection, leading them from mystical experience to charismatic authority which helped the empowerment of non-cloistered women. Despite its evident importance, there had never been a complete study clarifying both the previous knowledge of women’s mystical literature in Castile, the commission and reception of those texts, their manuscript origins and their specific impact on the lives of the Castilian communities and individuals.
Taking this context into account, WIMPACT had two main sub-goals. The first, make an exhaustive research gathering the manuscripts and early printed books on/by European Late Medieval Mystic Women (13th-14th cc.) present in Castile in the premodern period (second half 15th c.-early 16th c.). The second, evaluate the impact that those writings had, firstly, in the Castilian religious communities affected by Ximénez Cisneros Observant reform (1492-1517) through newly-produced inner convent literature and, secondly, in the Carmelite reform, accomplished by major literary figures as Teresa de Ávila and Juan de la Cruz (second half 16th c.).
By analyzing these issues from an innovative perspective, the project has highlighted the empowerment of women, their subsequent influence on the politics of the Castilian court and the role that they had in the Observant reforms undertaken in the period. In short, WIMPACT have provided a novel, deeper picture of the importance of the role of women in the development of European history.
