Brooke, Elizabeth
摘要
Elizabeth Brooke (née Colepepper; also Culpeper), Lady Brooke (c. 1601–1683), was a devout Christian and prolific reader and student of scripture who dedicated her life to the practice of religion. Her piety is reflected in the subject matter of her writing, of which her sixty-one Observations and Experiences and twenty-seven Rules for Practice survive. Published in 1684, Brooke’s Observations and Rules discuss themes that range across all matters related to her understanding of religion, spirituality, and, specifically, her support for the Church of England. She spent her days in prayer, reading scripture, engaging in holy meditation, and writing her philosophical and religious views. Based on her published writing and biography, Brooke was known during her lifetime to be a skilled conversationalist and spiritual advisor, a staunch Royalist, and a generous supporter of those in need. Significantly, her writings provide an opportunity for readers to learn more about the reality of early modern women’s lives, Anglican spiritual devotion, and Royalist politics.