The Body behind the Altar: The Transgression of Space and the Transformation of the Body in the <i>Life and Revelations</i> of Agnes Blannbekin

ABSTRACT Agnes Blannbekin’s description of her mystical experience on Easter morning, 1293, is a rare medieval account not only the affective consequences spatial transgression in church building but also its direct implication spiritual revelation. According to Life and Revelations, she heard command conceal herself behind an altar St. Michael, Vienna, where would feel pain Crucifixion. Her anguish at being so out place drove pray for revelation end be given strength leave. She provides, thus, first-person how gendered regulation space, often evidence sources written by men, was manifested embodied, experience. The incident develops themes that extend across Life, especially other Easter-time revelations, demonstrates close attention Blannbekin gave architectural organization ornamentation. This article describes drew together associations stretched liturgical time, setting, literary precedent order evoke profundity, significance, bodily identification with Passion.