Few hard facts are available about Walter Hilton except that he died on the Vigil of the Annunciation, 23 March 1395 (1396 by the current calendar) and that he was a canon of Saint Augustine in the priory at Thurgarton, near Southwell, in Nottinghamshire. He may have spent some time as a recluse, but it seems reasonable to assume, given the character of his works, that he understood the contemplative life and experience well. In modern times he is probably best known as one of the English mystics of the late fourteenth century. This flowering of mysticism included Richard Rolle, Julian of Norwich, and the author of the Cloud of Unknowing (circa 1350-1400) and its related treatises.

Despite his duties at Thurgarton and his own spiritual life, he found time to be a director of contemplative souls. This he does in the three English works that can be attributed to him...