1 MYSTICISM IN THE LOW COUNTRIES BEFORE RUUSBROEC John Arblaster & Rob Faesen This contribution examines the mystical literature of the Low Countries preceding John of Ruusbroec. Naturally, we do not intend to provide a complete overview, which would be utterly impossible within the constraints of one article. Nor is it this contribution’s intention to identify Ruusbroec’s literary or theological sources. Indeed, detailed research into Ruusbroec’s sources has yet to be conducted – a lacuna that has previously been signaled. 1 The intention of this contribution is merely to explore the mystical-spiritual landscape, and to indicate a number of important elements. BACKGROUND We need not reiterate that there was a long tradition of mystical experience and reflection in the Low Countries before John of Ruusbroec. In his concise overview, Albert Deblaere indicated a number of significant elements of this tradition: The mysticism of the Low Countries exhibits characteristics which reappear in various groupings of mystics from Carolingian times to the 17 th century ─ what is now Flanders played the dominant role in the 13 th and 14 th centuries, while in the 15 th and the 16 th it was the present-day Netherlands. The Vita of St. Gertrude of Nivelles (7 th century, family of Pepin) mentions her bridal mysticism. This mysticism is generally 1 See de Baere (1992).