Margery Kempe: The First Biographer and Truly Liberated Woman!

It appears that Margery was born in Bishop's Lynn around 1373. The book begins with her spiritual chaos after the difficult birth of her son and illness that followed. In Chapter 1, she does not hope to survive till God visits her in his purple silk mantle and says: "Dowtyr, why hast thow forsakyn me, and I forsoke nevyr the? [Sic]" (Daughter, why have you forsaken me, and I never forsook you?), saying this he ascended beautifully up for her to see. She is rejuvenated and started enjoying her life. She even ventures into business of brewing and corn mill but despite her best efforts incurs losses in both (Staley Ch. 44).

Her particularly logical and remarkably balanced act, though amusing as well, is shown in settlement with her husband prior to her journey to Jerusalem. She bargains a life of chastity by giving him financial advantage and fulfilling his other wishes (Ch.10-11). This memorable discussion happens after 20 years of marriage and 14 children and after her lord's intervention: This creatur thankyd owyr Lord Jhesu Cryst of hys grace and went to hir husbond, seyng unto hym, "Sere, yf it lyke yow, ye schal grawnt me my desyr, and yes chal have yowr desyr [sic]" (Ch.11).

She was even taken as a Lollard, the follower of John Wycliff's idea of religion (medievalwriting.50megs.com/churchglossary/glossaryi.htm), and arrested in Leicester, England. Margery was questioned and ordered out of diocese by the Archbishop at York (Ch.13) . She is criticized by people she met for her constant wailing. Her neighbors commented to her "why do you talk so much of the joy that is in heaven.....you have not been there any more than we have" (Ch. 26). The vividness of the speech breaks the monotony of utterly spiritual theme and keeps the reader interested. Moreover, the determined lady's victory over obstacles in that era leaves a lasting impression.

It appears that Kempe, if she was here in present times, may had reservations regarding current issues such as abortion or stem cell research but would have given logical thinking rather than outright rejection of these.

Source:

Staley, L (ed.). 1996. The book of Margery Kempe. Available at:

http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/teams/kemp1frm.htm>