Catholic and Protestant Translations of the Imitatio Christi, 1425–1650

The Imitatio Christi is considered one of the classic texts of Western spirituality. In this pioneering study, the reasons for the remarkable longevity of the Imitatio across geographical, chronological, linguistic and confessional boundaries is explored. Concentrating on English, French, German and Latin editions of the Imitatio, it offers a comprehensive survey of the process of translation and its impact and contribution to religious culture. It provides a fresh analysis of spirituality and devotion within their proper medieval and early modern context, and demonstrates that spirituality was not a peripheral dimension of the Reformation religion, but continues to remain at the heart of both Catholic and Protestant self-perception and identity.