A Mediaeval Mystic: A Short Account of the Life and Writings of Blessed John Ruysbroeck, Canon Regular of Groenendael A.D. 1293-1381

In Short

Vincent Scully’s biography offers an accessible overview of Blessed John Ruysbroeck, a pivotal Flemish mystic who lived from 1293 to 1381. The narrative traces his life from his early priesthood in Brussels to his withdrawal into the forest of Soignes, where he founded the Priory of Groenendael. Alongside his life, the book outlines his theological treatises, his defense of orthodoxy against contemporary heretics, and his far-reaching influence on key figures like Gerard Groote. The volume endures as a vital bridge to medieval Flemish spirituality, documenting the legacy of a quiet canon whose prose inspired generations of seekers.

The Story

The book opens with John Ruysbroeck’s early years and his ordination as a secular priest in Brussels at the age of twenty-four. For twenty-six years, Ruysbroeck resides near the Church of St. Gudule, living in quiet simplicity with his uncle, Canon Hinckaert, and Francis van Coudenberg. Together, they observe a common life marked by deep prayer and strict poverty. During this period, Ruysbroeck encounters the rising influence of local heretical movements, particularly the false mysticism surrounding figures like Bloemardinne. Driven by a desire to safeguard orthodox doctrine, he writes targeted refutations, earning both devotion from followers and open hostility from opponents.

Seeking relief from urban distractions and religious opposition, the small community moves into the forest of Soignes to occupy the hermitage of Groenendael. Their initial period of solitude is frequently interrupted by visiting hunters from the Duke of Brabant’s court and well-meaning pilgrims. Furthermore, ecclesiastical authorities express concern regarding a religious community living without formal vows or an approved rule. To secure their foundation, the companions adopt the Rule of Saint Augustine, becoming Canons Regular, with Ruysbroeck serving as the first Prior of Groenendael.

Under Ruysbroeck’s guidance, Groenendael transforms into a renowned center of contemplative life. Scully describes Ruysbroeck’s daily routines, highlighting his humble disposition, his intense devotion during the celebration of Mass, and his deep spiritual visions. The narrative details how scholars, religious leaders, and seekers travel long distances to learn from the Flemish master, notably Gerard Groote, who incorporates Ruysbroeck’s teachings into the foundation of the Brothers of the Common Life.

The second half of the book systematically outlines Ruysbroeck’s written works and theological framework. Scully reviews major texts such as The Kingdom of the Lovers of God, The Spiritual Tabernacle, and The Twelve Beguines, illustrating how Ruysbroeck uses Old Testament imagery, allegorical structures, and vivid prose written in the vernacular to make complex spiritual states accessible. Scully charts Ruysbroeck’s three-fold division of the spiritual path: the active, the interior, and the contemplative.

The story concludes with Ruysbroeck’s peaceful death in 1381 at the age of eighty-eight, followed by a historical accounting of his post-mortem legacy. Scully documents the translation of his relics, the ongoing efforts across centuries to secure his formal beatification, and the eventual modern scholarly revival led by institutions like the University of Louvain to preserve his native Middle Dutch writings.

How It Unfolds

The early priesthood John Ruysbroeck serves for twenty-six years as a secular chaplain at the Church of St. Gudule in Brussels. Alongside two older priests, he practices a simple, retired life centered on continuous prayer and mutual support.

The shift to the forest Facing pushback after criticizing false mystics in the city, Ruysbroeck and his companions obtain permission to relocate to the secluded hermitage of Groenendael. There, they construct a stable home despite frequent interruptions from local hunting parties.

Establishing the canonry Prompted by warnings from Parisian authorities regarding unregulated communities, the hermitage formally adopts the Augustinian Rule. Ruysbroeck assumes the office of Prior, establishing order while maintaining his daily contemplative habits.

Gathering of disciples Groenendael grows in reputation, drawing figures like Gerard Groote, who stays for extended periods to absorb Ruysbroeck's counsel. These visits establish a direct link between Ruysbroeck and the broader Devout Humanism movement.

Codifying the treatises Ruysbroeck composes numerous works in his native Flemish tongue, using rich allegories like the Old Testament Tabernacle to detail the soul's path to union with God.

Posthumous legacy and beatification Following Ruysbroeck's death in 1381, his tomb becomes a site of pilgrimage. Scully closes the narrative by tracking the relocation of his relics through centuries of war and the eventual revival of his literary study in modern Belgium.

The People

• John Ruysbroeck: The central focus of the book, a devout Flemish priest who desires complete union with God through contemplative simplicity. He navigates hostility from heretical sects and legal scrutiny from church authorities, ultimately establishing a quiet, influential monastic legacy.
• Francis van Coudenberg: A senior priest and close companion of Ruysbroeck who helps establish the shared household in Brussels. He secures the forest land at Groenendael and serves as the community's administrative Provost, balancing practical leadership with spiritual devotion.
• Bloemardinne: A prominent sect leader in Brussels whose false mystical teachings prompt Ruysbroeck to author his first doctrinal defenses, driving the narrative's central theological conflicts.
• Pierre de Saulx: The Prior of the Canons Regular of St. Victor in Paris, who challenges the Groenendael community to abandon their informal arrangement and adopt a canon law-approved monastic rule.
• Gerard Groote: A brilliant scholar who travels to Groenendael to learn from Ruysbroeck. He becomes Ruysbroeck's primary champion, translating his Flemish works into Latin and founding the Brothers of the Common Life based on his master's principles.

In Its Own Voice

When overheard in a Brussels public square by a bystander who remarked he would not be in the priest's shoes for all the world's wealth, Ruysbroeck quietly observed the inner gap between worldly comfort and spiritual satisfaction:

"Then you know nothing of the delights which God bestows, or of the delicious savour of the Holy Ghost," thought Ruysbroeck to himself, for he happened to overhear the words, and he proceeded tranquilly on his way.

Describing the deep, unmediated spiritual encounters that characterize the peak of Ruysbroeck's contemplative model, Scully writes:

"Man, struck by a light coming forth from God, forsakes all images; he is plunged into the union of fruitive love; he meets God without any medium, a spirit like unto Him; it is the state of absolute repose in God, utter emptiness and leisure."

Reflecting on the style of the original Old Flemish texts, the author highlights Ruysbroeck's artistic skill and deliberate choice of language:

"When carried away by the beauty or sublimity of his subject, he indulges in a wealth of imagery, comparison, metaphor, astounding at times in boldness and originality."

What It's Really About

At its core, the book explores the balance between active exterior duty and silent interior contemplation. Scully uses Ruysbroeck's life to demonstrate that true Christian mysticism requires strict doctrinal foundation, humility, and moral discipline, standing in direct contrast to the unrestrained emotionalism of the period's false sects. The text argues that deep interior union with God does not pull a person away from the human community; rather, it enriches their service to others. By analyzing Ruysbroeck's choice to write in his native language rather than Latin, the book highlights the democratization of theological thought in the late Middle Ages, showing how vernacular literature allowed complex spiritual ideas to reach a much wider public audience.

Why Read It Today

Scully’s biography serves as an accessible gateway for anyone interested in medieval history, Christian mysticism, or the historical roots of Northern European spirituality. Readers will appreciate the clear, unpretentious prose, which avoids dense academic jargon in favor of a straightforward historical and thematic account. The book offers a fascinating look into fourteenth-century religious life, showing how small, dedicated communities navigated regional politics, ecclesiastical oversight, and cultural shifts.

While the text is approachable, readers should prepare for dense summaries of medieval allegorical methods, particularly in the chapters analyzing Ruysbroeck’s long structural works like The Spiritual Tabernacle. Scully reflects early twentieth-century biographical conventions, presenting a largely admiring portrait grounded closely in traditional devotional accounts. Nevertheless, the book remains a valuable, concise summary of a vital literary figure whose work shaped writers from Thomas à Kempis to modern theologians. It leaves the reader with a clear understanding of why Ruysbroeck’s quiet life in the forest of Soignes left such an enduring imprint on Western literature.