(Click here for study questions on Richard Rolle.)

I AM SITTING in my room, waiting to be summoned for a visit with Richard of Hampole. I've travelled six centuries in time and several days to reach the manor of Richard's patron. It's been quite an adjustment to enter the 14th century as a woman, in dress and in dealing with people's attitudes. I'm glad for a moment before I meet Richard. After some time, a servant boy knocks on my door and leads me through the basement of the manor to a small converted pantry. A wooden door opens to a small white-washed one-room chamber. Richard, dressed in a brown tunic, is bent over his makeshift desk writing. He turns to greet his guest - me.

"Ah, Lady Linda. Welcome to Hampole. I trust they've made you comfortable here?"

"Yes thank you Richard. After such a long journey the hospitality is welcome here."

He glances over my attire and says: "I am pleased that you do not tempt yourself with the frivolity that is so prevalent with the ladies these days, if I may be so bold as to say so".

"Thank you. I made do with what I had. I must say it's been difficult to adjust to customs so different from my own. I see you are writing another work?"

"Ah, yes. A correspondence to one of my wards. I have been guiding her spiritual growth for some time and wanted to set down my thoughts to her in a more concrete way. Perhaps others will also benefit from my words. People need to know about the fervent Love of God and how sweet it can make their lives."

"Well that is partly why I am here. I have been studying English Mysticism and your Fire of Love over the last few months."

"A student! And a woman! It never ceases to boggle me how the Universities are engaged in ways of puffing themselves up and distracting people from the true love of God. My writings are not for those seeking status. Besides, what business do you have as a woman in such a place?"