"It is difficult to discover precise details about this Flemish woman mystic who has left us a considerable body of writings, composed of Poems, Visions, and Letters, but we do not have a written account of Hadewijch’s life. She is considered one of the creators of Dutch lyrical poetry, and it is thought that her works were written some time during the second quarter of the thirteenth century...It seems she was a Beguine, a “mistress” or spiritual guide to an unorganized group of Beguines to whom she speaks with authority...Given Hadewijch’s knowledge of Latin and French and her use of courtly imagery, it is thought that she came from a noble family, probably from somewhere around Antwerp or Brussels, for she writes in the dialect of medieval Brabant. Influenced by the love mysticism of Bernard of Clairvaux and others, her work represents an “experiential radicalization of the theology of love.” Love is her spouse, her companion, her Lady Mistress, her God. Love is a person to whom one can speak, a lady, a queen whose strength and richness are praised. But love is above all Divine Love whose gifts inebriate and whose strength makes her experience all the rage and fury, the suffering of love when love becomes inaccessible."