Hilton’s Life and Writings
Walter Hilton lived during the dark and difficult times of the 14th century. Plague, papal schism, peasant revolts, along with famine, war, and church controversies in England marked his day. Few details are known about Hilton’s early life, but it is believed he was born around 1340 and came from the East Midlands, later attending Cambridge University where he studied law.
Hilton became dissatisfied with law and felt drawn to a life seeking God through prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Eventually, he joined the community of Augustinian canons (priests living in community like monks) who lived at the Priory Church in Thurgarton. Hilton became known as a gracious and wise spiritual guide. He died in 1396.
His most famous work, The Ladder of Perfection, became a very popular work in the 14th and 15th centuries, read not just by monks and anchoresses, but by people with families and work responsibilities. The other well-known mystics of the 14th century: Julian of Norwich, Margery Kempe, and the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing were all familiar with some of Hilton’s works, probably chiefly, The Ladder of Perfection.
Hilton wrote, “What is a man, but his thoughts and his loves?”
Hilton defined prayer as, “Nothing but the desire of the heart rising into God.”
Hilton wrote other works, the second most influential being, The Epistle on the Mixed Life.
Hilton’s Feast Day in the Church of England is March 24.
Other Sayings
"We therefore need to know the gifts given us by God, so that we may use them, for by these we shall be saved."
"When you attack the roots of sin, fix your thought more on the God you desire than on the sin you abhor."
"One who loves God retains this humility at all times, not with weariness and struggle, but with pleasure and gladness."
"What is humility but truthfulness? There is no real difference."
Prayer for the Feast Day of Walter Hilton
Almighty God, Holy Trinity, you revealed to your servant, Walter Hilton, the mysteries of your perfect love, may we, following his example, find our faith kindled with fire and our spiritual eyes opened to your glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, the lover of our souls, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Resources on Hilton
Complete text. The language of the translation preserves some of the spirit of the original Middle English, making it readable, but dated from a contemporary perspective. Some of the introductory notes are also dated and in need of revision, but a reader will still benefit from reading them.
Helpful and modern introduction to The Scale. Also, useful for those wanting to get a taste of the Middle English that Hilton originally wrote in.
An overview of the walking pilgrimage to or from Hilton’s extant church in Thurgarton, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom.
Books
Walter Hilton: The Scale of Perfection part of the Classics of Western Spirituality Series Comes with an excellent introduction and study notes, as well as a solid and accessible modern translation. Editors: JP Clark, Rosemay Doward
The Greatest Desire: Daily Readings with Walter Hilton Bite size, daily readings for personal reflection and meditation from Hilton. Editor: Kevin Goodrich OP. Publisher: DLT (the same company that publishes the well-known daily readings with Julian of Norwich)