SOURCE: "Gender and Prophetic Authority in Birgitta of Sweden's Revelations," in Gender and Text in The Later Middle Ages, edited by Jane Chance, University Press of Florida, 1996, pp. 69-95.

In the following essay, Sahlin explores Birgitta's attempts to overcome the medieval bias against women by appealing to a prophetic authority sanctioned by God

During her pilgrimage to the Holy Land and subsequent return to Rome in 1372, Birgitta of Sweden traveled through Cyprus, where she summoned rulers and nobility to hear God's words concerning the fate of the island. Birgitta, who was advanced in age and growing physically weak, claimed to speak to the Cypriots on behalf of God. She boldly announced on several occasions that God would soon destroy the kingdom, unless its leaders and people began to love Christ and carry out his will. In the city of Famagusta, Christ proclaimed his words of judgment through her...