In the early 15th century, Margery Kempe, an English Christian mystic from King’s Lynn, embarked on a remarkable pilgrimage to Jerusalem. What made her journey particularly exceptional was not just the destination but her motivations, spiritual experiences, and the autobiographical record she left behind. Her Book, considered the first known autobiography in English, details her religious visions and deep emotional spirituality. Her pilgrimage to Jerusalem stood as a significant milestone in her spiritual quest, driven by an intense devotion to Christ and a desire to follow in His physical footsteps across the Holy Land. The account of this pilgrimage is a fascinating blend of faith, endurance, medieval travel, and female agency in a world largely dominated by male voices.
Background of Margery Kempe
Margery Kempe was born around 1373 in the town of Bishop’s Lynn, Norfolk, which is now known as King’s Lynn. A merchant’s daughter, she was married and had 14 children. Her spiritual transformation began after the birth of her first child when she experienced a series of visions and spiritual awakenings. These experiences led her to adopt a life of chastity, extreme piety, and eventually, travel. Despite her lack of formal religious training and the controversies surrounding her public displays of religious fervor, she pursued a spiritual life that placed her on the path of pilgrimage, a core element in medieval Christian devotion.
The Calling to Jerusalem
For Margery Kempe, going on pilgrimage to Jerusalem was not a mere religious obligation; it was a divinely inspired calling. She believed Christ instructed her to walk where He had walked. In the medieval world, Jerusalem was considered the ultimate pilgrimage destination a sacred center of Christian history. The emotional and spiritual gravity attached to such a journey resonated deeply with Kempe’s intense religious fervor.
However, planning and undertaking this pilgrimage in the early 15th century was a daunting endeavor. Travel was perilous, expensive, and time-consuming. Kempe had to seek permission from her confessor and arrange to join a group of other pilgrims, primarily male and often skeptical of her presence. Despite opposition and social ridicule, she remained committed to her vision.
Journey to the Holy Land
Departure and Early Travel
Margery Kempe began her journey in 1413 or 1414, sailing from England to the continent and making her way through key pilgrimage cities in Europe. She traveled through Venice, one of the central departure ports for pilgrims bound for the Holy Land. During her time in Italy, she endured mockery and disapproval from fellow pilgrims due to her constant weeping, ecstatic religious expressions, and self-proclaimed holiness.
Sea Voyage to Jaffa
From Venice, Kempe boarded a ship bound for Jaffa, the main port of entry for pilgrims visiting Jerusalem. The sea journey was treacherous, with storms, disease, and the constant threat of piracy. Upon arriving in Jaffa, pilgrims had to contend with customs, local authorities, and often bribes before gaining entry to the city. Kempe’s detailed description of this portion of the journey shows her resilience and unwavering faith, even in the face of extreme physical hardship.
Arrival in Jerusalem
Upon reaching Jerusalem, Margery Kempe was overwhelmed with spiritual emotion. Her Book recounts how she was granted the privilege to walk barefoot along the Via Dolorosa the path Christ took to his crucifixion. This act of devotion, combined with her frequent weeping and emotional outbursts, reflected her deep connection to the suffering of Jesus. For Kempe, Jerusalem was not merely a historical site; it was a sacred realm where she could physically connect with her beloved Christ.
She visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Mount of Olives, Bethlehem, and other revered sites. At each location, she prayed intensely, often entering states of religious ecstasy. Though her companions often found her behavior disruptive, her piety was unwavering. Her mystical experiences in the Holy Land reinforced her belief that she was living in divine communion with God.
Challenges and Conflicts
Group Tensions
Throughout her pilgrimage, Margery faced social isolation and scorn from other pilgrims. Her emotional intensity, public weeping, and refusal to conform to gender expectations frequently placed her at odds with the group. Many viewed her as a disruptive presence, questioning her motives and even her sanity. Yet Kempe endured these tensions with a sense of divine purpose, often citing Christ’s example of being misunderstood and persecuted.
Cultural and Physical Hardships
Traveling in the Middle Ages was physically grueling. Pilgrims had to walk long distances, often through hostile or unfamiliar territories. Disease, poor food, and unsanitary conditions were constant concerns. For Margery, these hardships were tests of her faith. She interpreted physical suffering as a form of union with Christ’s own suffering, reinforcing her spiritual convictions.
Return and Reflection
Journey Back to England
After her visit to Jerusalem, Margery returned to Venice and eventually to England. Along the way, she also visited other pilgrimage destinations including Assisi, Rome, and Santiago de Compostela. Each stop offered her additional opportunities for spiritual connection and penance. Her return journey was no less difficult than the outbound trip, but it provided space for reflection and personal transformation.
Writing The Book
After returning home, Margery began dictating her life story to two scribes. The result wasThe Book of Margery Kempe, an extraordinary narrative that combines autobiography, spiritual reflection, and social commentary. The account of her pilgrimage to Jerusalem forms a crucial section, showcasing her religious zeal and the significance of the journey in shaping her identity as a mystic.
Legacy of the Jerusalem Pilgrimage
Margery Kempe’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem left a lasting mark on religious literature and the understanding of medieval devotion. She was one of the few women of her time to leave behind such a comprehensive record of her spiritual life. Her journey challenged gender norms, questioned religious authority, and underscored the deeply personal nature of faith.
- Her pilgrimage demonstrated the accessibility of holiness to laypeople, particularly women.
- She redefined the role of the female pilgrim, not as a passive participant but as an active spiritual seeker.
- The Jerusalem pilgrimage became symbolic of her entire religious journey a physical and spiritual quest to be one with Christ.
The pilgrimage to Jerusalem by Margery Kempe was not just a travelogue but a powerful spiritual declaration. In an age when women were often silenced, she found her voice through faith, devotion, and the written word. Her account provides modern readers with a unique perspective on medieval spirituality, female agency, and the enduring power of pilgrimage. The path to Jerusalem was filled with hardship, but for Margery Kempe, it was the road to divine intimacy, eternal purpose, and historical significance.