Memoirs Of A Medieval Woman: The Life And Times Of Margery Kempe

I first heard about Margery Kempe from other books I was reading, and then read reviews of this book on Amazon. At that point I decided she would make an ideal fictional character and so I had to read this piece for story material's sake.I was not disappointed. Margery Kempe, a real "live" medieval woman (dates 1373-c. 1438) was an ecstatic, a visionary, a far-traveled pilgrim, mother to fourteen children, and, in the opinion of many, a complete loon. She talked to Jesus and God Almighty on a regular basis, though the latter never got beyond the most domestic of advice and assurances. Some think she was epileptic or schizophrenic, though she displays far too much savvy and good health to convince me that either was the case. Let us just say she was "unique."Most remarkably for an illiterate woman is the fact that she traveled so far while relying only on her own wit and resources (excepting the occasional begging) and before the end of her life managed to dictate her memoirs to a priest. As a result, there is possibly no medieval woman we know more intimately than Margery Kempe.And what a life! Travels aside, she was hailed as a holy woman and hauled before the authorities for heresy (though she was vouchsafed orthodox time and time again). Everywhere she went she antagonized and irritated people, but this did not stop significant crowds of well wishers from showing up outside of her prison to support her. She was filled with contradictions--a would be martyr, saint and megalomaniac. In short, she was infinitely human and flawed.This book is a well informed narrative based on her memoirs. It gives us a great idea of Margery's life and times, putting everything within its historical context. A must read for anyone interested in the Middle Ages.

I am on my second reading of this book. It is both educational and hilarious. Margery Kempe was the Hyacinth Bucket of the middle ages. In her quest to be recognized as a saint, she bored people to death with endless religious talk. There are really two stories here - of the woman's narcissistic delusions, and another of what it was like to be a tourist to the Holy land in medieval times. I learned a lot about history - religious intolerance, the sad state of Rome in the 14th century, and the hospitality of the Muslims towards obnoxious Christian tourists. Although some have complained about the quotes in archaic English, I rather enjoyed them, as they let us know how everyday folks spoke in their vernacular. You get used to them after awhile.

I bought this many years ago, enjoyed it thoroughly. Breaks many myths about the dark ages. It's a fun read about the medieval version of Betty Bowers. A lot of insight into daily life in another time.

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Loved this book when I read it years ago. Once is not enough, her story is amazing for a woman in those times. She was smart, enterprising, and also a bit crazy!!

This was a book club selection. No one in the club liked it! The only good thing is it is only 259 pages ( of boring tedium), There is also a lot of undecipherable Middle- English scattered throughout.

I read this excellent book after returning from the Holy Land myself. It was so factual and detailed. I felt I was there to experience the relic and saint frenzy and I wish I had found & read it before I went to Israel. I will read it again...after I get it back from my friends and family who all want to read it next. Included are actual events from history at the time and some ancient English showing the Germanic dialect's influence on our language. I felt a little sorry for Margery at times but would hate to travel with someone like her!

Being a lover of medieval history, when I bought this book and sat down to read it I was expecting perhaps, another somewhat dry and unexciting account of the daily life of a medieval woman living in a medieval town. Wow! Was I pleasantly surprised! This little book is a real gem as it recounts, in modern English and in biographical narrative fashion, the travels and tribulations of a truly remarkable, if a bit eccentric, Englishwoman of the 15th century. I especially enjoyed the description of her journey to and sojourn in the Holy Land and her stay in Rome. This woman, who was subject to visions of and visitations from the saints and Jesus, would likely be declared insane today, and she almost was burned as a heretic back then.Her courage and fortitude are truly admirable. Ms. Collis has done a masterful job of weaving quotes from Margery's autobiography with modern English prose to present a lucid and most enjoyable account of this lady. Definitely a two thumbs up book!

Good condition