TheBook of Margery Kempestands as one of the most remarkable and unusual texts from medieval England. Written in the early 15th century, it is often regarded as the first autobiography in the English language. Unlike traditional autobiographies, however, this book was dictated rather than penned by the author herself, due to Margery Kempe’s illiteracy. Her story captures the spiritual visions, pilgrimages, emotional struggles, and religious devotions of a middle-class woman living in a deeply religious society. The book not only offers insight into the mystical and religious practices of the Middle Ages, but it also provides a unique perspective on gender, social expectations, and personal piety. For anyone studying medieval literature, Christian mysticism, or women’s voices in history, theBook of Margery Kempeis an essential and fascinating source.
Who Was Margery Kempe?
Margery Kempe was born around 1373 in Bishop’s Lynn (modern-day King’s Lynn), Norfolk, England. She was the daughter of a wealthy merchant and civic leader. Margery married John Kempe and had at least fourteen children. Despite a seemingly conventional life as a wife and mother, Margery experienced a powerful spiritual transformation that set her apart from her peers.
After a difficult childbirth, she claimed to have received visions of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and various saints. These visions prompted her to adopt a life of chastity, renunciation of worldly pleasures, and deep religious devotion. Her unusual behavior, including frequent loud weeping and spontaneous public displays of spiritual ecstasy, often drew criticism and suspicion.
Spiritual Life and Mystical Experiences
The core of theBook of Margery Kempecenters on Margery’s intense and vivid mystical experiences. She described hearing the voice of God, seeing Christ in her visions, and even engaging in spiritual conversations with Him. These episodes often caused her to weep uncontrollably, which she believed was a sign of divine love and compassion. Margery’s emotional displays, though often misunderstood by others, were for her a profound form of worship.
She was heavily influenced by the Christian mysticism of her time, and her religious experiences can be compared to other medieval mystics such as Julian of Norwich and Saint Bridget of Sweden. However, unlike cloistered nuns, Margery lived her mystical life outside a convent, amid the hustle and bustle of ordinary society.
Pilgrimages and Travels
One of the striking aspects of Margery Kempe’s life, as detailed in her book, is her extensive travel. Despite the dangers and discomforts of medieval travel, she embarked on multiple pilgrimages to significant Christian sites. These included journeys to:
- Canterbury
- Santiago de Compostela in Spain
- Rome
- The Holy Land
- Prussia and the Low Countries
Her pilgrimages were acts of devotion but also a means of fulfilling her spiritual calling. She often faced ridicule and hostility on these journeys, as her reputation for eccentric behavior preceded her. Still, she remained unwavering in her pursuit of holiness.
Writing the Book
TheBook of Margery Kempewas dictated to two scribes, as she could not read or write. The first version was lost, but the second was completed around 1438. The manuscript lay unknown for centuries until it was rediscovered in the 20th century. Its rediscovery sparked a renewed academic interest in medieval women’s writing and mysticism.
The book is written in the third person, referring to Margery as this creature, a term that reflects both humility and a sense of detachment from worldly identity. The narrative follows her spiritual journey, her visions, and her internal struggles, interspersed with the reactions of those around her clergy, townspeople, and fellow pilgrims.
Religious Themes and Symbolism
The text is rich in Christian imagery and themes. Among the most prominent are:
- Divine Love: Margery presents God’s love as intensely personal and emotional. She often likens her relationship with Christ to a spiritual marriage.
- Redemptive Suffering: She believes that her emotional and social suffering brings her closer to Christ’s own passion.
- Imitation of Christ: Margery seeks to live a Christ-like life, not through martyrdom or cloistered seclusion, but through public devotion and chastity.
These elements align her with the larger movement of affective piety that emphasized emotional identification with Christ’s human suffering.
Reception and Controversy
Margery Kempe’s behavior was polarizing in her time. She was brought before religious authorities on multiple occasions and accused of heresy, although she was never formally convicted. Her dramatic expressions of faith were often seen as disruptive and self-important. Yet, she also gained the support of some clergy who believed in the authenticity of her visions.
Her book similarly generated mixed responses among later readers. Some viewed her as delusional, while others saw her as a brave and devout woman who defied societal norms to follow her faith. In modern scholarship, she has become a subject of feminist and religious studies, recognized for offering a rare female voice in a male-dominated literary tradition.
Legacy and Modern Relevance
Today, theBook of Margery Kempeis valued not only for its religious content but also for its literary and historical significance. It provides scholars with a firsthand account of a medieval woman’s inner life, her perceptions of gender roles, and the religious atmosphere of her time. It also challenges modern readers to reconsider assumptions about medieval piety, mental health, and the role of emotion in spirituality.
For students and general readers alike, the book is an invitation into the world of medieval Christianity seen through the eyes of a passionate and complex woman. Her voice, though centuries old, still resonates with themes of faith, struggle, perseverance, and spiritual yearning.
TheBook of Margery Kempeis more than just an autobiography; it is a window into the soul of a woman deeply committed to her spiritual path, regardless of societal approval. Her story defies easy categorization part mystic, part pilgrim, part mother, and full believer. The work remains a key text in understanding medieval devotion and continues to inspire reflection on the nature of personal faith and religious expression. In reading it, we do not just encounter the life of Margery Kempe we encounter the human desire to find meaning, connection, and divine love in a turbulent world.