The Book of Margery Kempe

By Margery Kempe, Lynn Staley (editor),

Book cover of The Book of Margery Kempe

Book description

Kempe's work is accompanied by an introduction, a map of medieval England, a Kempe lexicon, and explanatory annotations.

"Contexts" collects primary readings that illuminate The Book of Margery Kempe. Included are excerpts from The Constitutions of Thomas Arundel, Meditations on the Life of Christ, The Shewings of Julian of Norwich,…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Book of Margery Kempe as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

You can’t go to the past, but the past can come to you, through a written voice. 

This is a strong and extraordinary woman’s autobiography from the late 1400s and early 1500s. It’s like taking a phone call from the 15th century.

This directness is what I wanted in my own book.

Kempe could neither read nor write, so she dictated her story. She did things women often weren’t able to do back then. She ran a business, travelled to France, Germany, Spain, and even to Jerusalem. And she spoke out against many received medieval opinions.

How brave Kempe was…

From Nicola's list on taking you where you can’t go.

Want books like The Book of Margery Kempe?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Book of Margery Kempe.

Browse books like The Book of Margery Kempe

Book cover of The God of Small Things
Book cover of The Goldfinch
Book cover of The Tempest

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,592

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Christian pilgrimages, mysticism, and Christianity?

Mysticism 92 books
Christianity 686 books