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Margery Kempe

Margery Kempe. Daughter of John Brunham, who was once mayor of King’s Lynn in Norfolk Married John Kempe of Lynn c. 1393, but abandoned him and married life to devote herself to religion Apparently her husband agreed to the terms of their separation; they both took a vow of celibacy.

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Margery Kempe

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  1. Margery Kempe • Daughter of John Brunham, who was once mayor of King’s Lynn in Norfolk • Married John Kempe of Lynn c.1393, but abandoned him and married life to devote herself to religion • Apparently her husband agreed to the terms of their separation; they both took a vow of celibacy

  2. Margery Kempe • Kempe had clearly fulfilled her marital responsibilities—she and her husband had 14 children • Kempe made a spectacle of herself with her noisy weeping during her visions • Traveled widely on pilgrimages to Jerusalem, Rome, Compostella, and various other sites

  3. Book of Margery Kempe • Recounts Kempe’s visions and experiences with great vividness • Experiences recounted include temptations to lechery, travels, and accusations of heresy

  4. Book of Margery Kempe • Kempe was illiterate, so she had to dictate her book in two parts to two different scribes • The second scribe was a priest, and he revised the whole text, making one wonder what other changes he might have made

  5. Book of Margery Kempe • Experts assure us that the work still has Kempe’s characteristic touch, despite the editorial changes • The work isn’t a mystical text in the strictest sense, so it doesn’t have that sort of appeal

  6. Why do we study The Book of Margery Kempe? • Kempe’s style is vigorous and readable and the subject matter is generally interesting • The work is an early example of autobiography, providing insight into life in the late middle ages

  7. Julian of Norwich • Was a recluse in a cell attached to the church of St. Julian at Norwich • Wrote Sixteen Revelations of Divine Love (c.1393) describing visions revealed to her during her illness in 1373 and her reflections on them

  8. Julian of Norwich • We know next to nothing about Julian, aside from the information that she provides in A Book of Showings • Julian’s description of her “showings” or revelations is precise—we know the exact date of the visions: May 13, 1373

  9. Julian of Norwich • There are two versions of A Book of Showings: a short version and a long version • Long version of Showings contains Julian’s commentary, which was result of years of contemplation, study, and prayer on visions

  10. Julian of Norwich • Julian developed some rich and incredibly complex theological concepts during her contemplation of the visions • Showings is the work of an accomplished prose stylist, and a thoughtful Christian theologian and mystic

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