An investigation into the influence of Ruusbroec on Denys the Carthusian’s mystical writings.

This thesis seeks to establish the degree to which Denys the Carthusian has been influenced by Jan Ruusbroec. During his lifetime, Denys the Carthusian was highly regarded as an outstanding theologian and named Doctor Ecstaticus, which suggests that he had a profound knowledge of mystical theology not merely from a theoretical perspective but also from profound personal experience. Whilst other scholastics remain authoritative figures in the canon, Denys appears to have passed into relative obscurity. The relationship between Denys the Carthusian and Jan Ruusbroec provides a critical perspective for discussing how Denys’ reception might be reconsidered because he emerges as a mystical theologian in his own right rather than simply a scriptural commentator. Furthermore, Denys’ mystical theology has a distinctive character comprising Victorine, Carthusian and Flemish spirituality. By studying his life, the major events that shaped it and the way Denys makes reference to Ruusbroec, strongly defending him in his three main mystical texts, this thesis argues that Ruusbroec’s Trinitarian thought was extremely influential to Denys the Carthusian and shaped his own theological approach most strongly. This thesis argues that whilst Denys, using an extensive number of different sources, was able to synthesise these sources and thus provide an impressive insight in medieval scholastics, it was truly his mystical writing that sets him apart and is worthy of further study.