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Medieval History

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"The Book of Margery Kempe," was written in the early 15th century with a unique

and fascinating account of the life of a medieval English woman. The book is an outstanding

example of autobiography as it offers readers a detailed insight into the spiritual and religious

experiences of Margery Kempe. In this book, the author recounts her pilgrimages,

happenstances with various religious figures, and brawls with her faith. The book has been an

domineering source for exploring the medieval religious landscape. It provides its readers

with a foretaste of the life of a woman who challenged traditional gender roles and

expectations. This paper explores a specific aspect of "The Book of Margery Kempe," namely

the author's depiction of her interactions with the Church and its representatives. Through a

close analysis of selected passages, this paper will argue that Margery Kempe's book presents

a complex and nuanced view of the Church that challenges traditional notions of the

relationship between religion and gender in the medieval period.

Raised to a daring English merchant in the late 1370s, Margery Kempe would attain

lasting popularity and fame as one of the most enthralling religious converts, pilgrims, and

visionaries of the Middle Ages1. After she married, she gave birth to fourteen kids. After

raising her children, she got a vision of Christ which compelled her to embark on her lifestyle

of purity, pilgrimage, penance, and prayer2. As dictated by Margery in her later life, the Book

of Margery Kemp narrates the story of her mystical visions, travels, and conversion.

Margery's narrative exemplifies the unique e expressions of religiosity prevented among the

urban middle class of the 14th century. In addition, the book reflects on the concerns of many

for unmediated contact with Supreme beings. This book would be relevant to readers

interested in exploring personal religious experimentation and urban life.

The Theme of Social and Family Life

1
Kempe, Margery. "The Book of Margery Kempe [1501], ed. and trans. by Anthony Bale." (2015): 6.
http://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/9853
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Kempe, Margery.
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Margery Kempe's "The Book of Margery Kempe" is an autobiographical account of

her life as a mystic and a pilgrim in the late Middle Ages. As Kempe grapples with pursuing

her spiritual calling with her responsibilities as a wife, mother, and member of society, the

issue of social and family life reverberates throughout the text. Both conformity and

nonconformity are present in Kempe's social and familial life. On the one hand, She complies

with the gender roles and standards of the time by carrying out her responsibilities as a wife

and mother. She observes social norms when she marries, raises children, and manages her

family3. However, she rejects some of these responsibilities and standards due to her quest for

a more meaningful spiritual life. Even if it means leaving her husband and kids for extended

periods, she prefers to live a life of religious piety and celibacy.

The relationship between Kempe and her family is complicated. Kempe is passionate

about her kids and requests their indulgence for her absenteeism and eccentric acts. Her

spiritual interests, however, occasionally cause her to disagree with her spouse and other

family members. Her refusal to conform to social norms provokes tension and conflict

because they perceive her visions and emotional outbursts as signs of insanity and craziness.

Kempe's description of social and family life sheds light on the struggles women in the

Middle Ages confronted in juggling their household and religious obligations. While

Kempe's nonconformity drew suspicion and criticism, her story also highlights the value of

familial ties and the challenges associated with juggling them with a spiritual vocation 4.

By studying Kempe's social and family life as portrayed in her book, "The Book of

Margery Kempe," we can better comprehend the challenges medieval women experienced in

juggling their domestic and religious responsibilities. Kempe's life best exemplifies the

conflict between upholding social conventions and the desire to lead a more in-depth spiritual

3
Kempe, Margery. "The Book of Margery Kempe [1501], ed. and trans. by Anthony Bale." (2015): 6.
http://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/9853
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Kempe, Margery.
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life. Kempe's social and family life revealed the challenges women experienced in trying to

balance their domestic and religious responsibilities in a patriarchal society. It demonstrates

how following a spiritual vocation could create tension and conflict with loved ones and other

members of society5. It also highlights the value of familial bonds and the difficulties

associated with juggling them with a spiritual commitment.

Personal Religious Expression

The major theme of Margery Kempe's "The Book of Margery Kempe" is exploring

and expressing one's personal religious beliefs. Kempe's quest for a closer, more intimate

contact with God characterizes her spiritual journey and propels her to explore multiple

religious practices and modes of expression. Kempe experiments with various religious

expressions, including laughing, crying, and speaking in tongues. She has vivid visions and

auditory hallucinations, which she takes to be spiritual communications. The people around

Kempe frequently see her unconventional or even heretical actions in response to her

euphoric experiences with skepticism and condemnation. Despite this, Kempe keeps pushing

for a closer, more intimate relationship with God.

At the heart of Kempe's spiritual journey is her desire to express her faith in a

meaningful and authentic way. This sometimes puts her at odds with her time's religious

institutions and authorities. For example, Kempe seeks spiritual advice from various sources,

including laypeople and heretical sects, rather than relying solely on the church hierarchy 6.

She also resists the pressure to become a nun, instead pursuing a vocation as a laywoman.

Despite these challenges, Kempe's personal religious expression ultimately brings her a sense

of peace and fulfillment. She feels a deep sense of connection to God and experiences

5
Kempe, Margery. "The Book of Margery Kempe [1501], ed. and trans. by Anthony Bale." (2015): 6.
http://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/9853
6
Kempe, Margery. "The Book of Margery Kempe [1501], ed. and trans. by Anthony Bale." (2015): 6.
http://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/9853
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moments of profound spiritual insight7. Through her writing, Kempe encourages others to

pursue their spiritual paths, even if they diverge from traditional religious practices or

teachings.

Overall, the theme of personal religious expression and experimentation in "The Book

of Margery Kempe" speaks to the human desire for a more direct and personal relationship

with the divine. less to challenge religious authority and experiment with new modes of

expression reflects a broader trend in medieval spirituality, as individuals sought to find their

unique path to God.

The theme of Personal Religious Expression in "The Book of Margery Kempe"

emphasizes the importance of personal experience in matters of faith. Kempe's religious

experiences, including visions, voices, and emotions, are deeply personal and powerful.

These experiences shape her understanding of God and her relationship with Him. However,

Kempe's religious expression often puts her at odds with her time's religious and social

norms. Her weeping, laughing, and speaking in tongues are seen as unorthodox or even

heretical. This highlights the tension between individuality and conformity in matters of faith

Kempe, Margery. "The Book of Margery Kempe [1501], ed. and trans. by Anthony Bale."

(2015): 6. http://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/9853. Despite this tension, Kempe experiments

with different modes of expression to deepen her connection with God, highlighting the

importance of trying new things and exploring different approaches to spirituality.

Furthermore, Kempe seeks advice and guidance from various sources, including religious

authorities, laypeople, and heretical sects. This emphasizes the importance of community in

shaping and supporting one's religious expression Kempe, Margery8. "The Book of Margery

7
Kempe, Margery. "The Book of Margery Kempe [1501], ed. and trans. by Anthony Bale." (2015): 6.
http://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/9853
8
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Kempe [1501], ed. and trans. by Anthony Bale." (2015): 6.

http://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/9853.

Urban Life

The theme of Urban Life in "The Book of Margery Kempe" explores the experiences

of Margery Kempe in urban environments, particularly in the cities of Lynn and Norwich.

Kempe's portrayal of urban life highlights the opportunities and challenges faced by women

in the Middle Ages in these settings. One of the significant features of urban life that Kempe

describes is the presence of a diverse population. She interacts with people from various

social and economic backgrounds, including merchants, artisans, priests, and aristocrats. This

diversity exposes Kempe to new ideas and perspectives, which she incorporates into her

religious life. The urban environment also provides her access to various religious institutions

and practices, such as the veneration of saints and pilgrimage sites.

However, the city also challenges Kempe, particularly regarding her gender. Urban

areas are characterized by greater freedom and anonymity, allowing Kempe to express herself

more openly than in rural settings9. Nevertheless, the city is also associated with vice and

danger, and Kempe must navigate these hazards as a woman. She faces sexual harassment

and assault, and her non-conformist religious behavior makes her a target of suspicion and

hostility. Generally, the theme of Urban Life in "The Book of Margery Kempe" highlights

women's opportunities and challenges in urban environments in the Middle Ages. It

underscores the value of exposure to diverse perspectives and the importance of religious

institutions and practices. At the same time, it reveals the dangers of urban life, particularly

for women, and the need to navigate these hazards carefully.

How Urban Life Shaped Margery Kempe's religious expression

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Margery Kempe's religious expression was shaped by her urban, middle-class

upbringing and her economic opportunities in later life. Growing up in a bustling urban

center like Lynn, Kempe was exposed to diverse people and ideas. Her family was relatively

wealthy, so she could receive an education and access books and other materials that helped

shape her religious beliefs. However, Kempe's urban environment also exposed her to the

dangers of city life, including violence, disease, and moral decay10. Her experiences in Lynn

and later in Norwich likely contributed to her desire for a more personal and intimate

religious expression that could provide comfort and solace in the face of these challenges11.

As an adult, Kempe had the economic means to pursue her religious expression more

freely. She could travel to various pilgrimage sites within England and abroad and engage in

spiritual practices that were only available to some. Her wealth and social status also

protected her against criticism or persecution for her non-conformist religious behavior.

Furthermore, Kempe's urban middle-class lifestyle allowed her to explore and

experiment with different forms of religious expression. She had the time, resources, and

intellectual curiosity to read widely and seek out diverse sources of guidance and inspiration.

This allowed her to develop a more personal and nuanced understanding of her faith, which

she could express in meaningful and authentic ways12. In sum, Margery Kempe's urban

middle-class upbringing and economic opportunities in later life likely fostered her desires

for a more personal and intimate religious expression. Her exposure to diverse ideas and

experiences, as well as her economic means and social status, allowed her to explore different

forms of religious expression and develop a unique approach that resonated with her.

10
Kempe, Margery. "The Book of Margery Kempe [1501], ed. and trans. by Anthony Bale." (2015): 6.
http://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/9853
11
Kempe, Margery. "The Book of Margery Kempe [1501], ed. and trans. by Anthony Bale." (2015): 6.
http://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/9853
12
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In "The Book of Margery Kempe," Margery Kempe encountered both supporters and

opponents of her religious ideas. Those who supported her tended to be individuals who were

sympathetic to her message of personal religious devotion and were open to non-traditional

expressions of faith. Her supporters included priests, monks, and laypeople who saw value in

her spiritual practices, such as tears of devotion, visions, and pilgrimages. On the other hand,

those who opposed Margery tended to distrust her for various reasons13. Some opposed her

theological ideas, which challenged traditional Catholic doctrine and practices. Others may

have been skeptical of her gender assumptions, as Margery was a woman who claimed to

receive divine revelations and was highly vocal about her religious experiences. Margery's

inclinations, such as her tendency to weep and express her emotions openly, may have made

her seem suspect to some.

Margery's experiences with different authorities suggest that contemporary

expectations and religious norms were highly restrictive and exclusive. Margery's behavior

and beliefs were often at odds with her time's religious and social norms, which emphasized

hierarchical structures and obedience to authority. Her refusal to conform to these norms and

her perceived challenges to traditional religious beliefs made her a target of suspicion and

hostility14. However, Margery's experiences highlight the potential for individual agency and

resistance in the face of restrictive norms. Despite facing opposition from various authorities,

she persisted in her religious practices and beliefs, ultimately achieving a degree of

acceptance and respect for her message. Margery's experiences also suggest the value of the

personal religious expression and the potential for alternative forms of religious devotion to

challenge and transform traditional religious structures.

13
Kempe, Margery. "The Book of Margery Kempe [1501], ed. and trans. by Anthony Bale." (2015): 6.
http://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/9853
14
Kempe, Margery.
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Bibliography

Kempe, Margery. "The Book of Margery Kempe [1501], ed. and trans. by Anthony

Bale." (2015): 6. http://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/9853

Kempe, Margery. "The Book of Margery Kempe [1501], ed. and trans. by Anthony Bale."

(2015): 6. http://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/9853