:Trans and Genderqueer Subjects in Medieval Hagiography

Abstract

In this epilogue, I discuss the productivity of trans and genderqueer readings of medieval hagiography in three contexts: the development of hagiographical studies since the 1960s, of gender studies since Simone de Beauvoir’s seminal work Le deuxième sexe (1949-1950), and, finally, of historical studies, since the publication of Pierre Nora’s Les Lieux de mémoire (1984-1992). It should be clear that this afterword is not intended as anything like a final conclusion to this volume, claiming to neatly resolve all of the questions raised. Instead, it is an invitation to further explore gender and saints, to reflect on both categories as well as on methods of trans and genderqueer reading, and, finally, on the societal meaning of such studies today.