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Online Book Group: The Book of Margery Kempe (c.1436-8)
Tuesdays, over 10 weeks (starting 10 September), 20:00 - 21:00 BST, via Zoom
Known as the earliest autobiography written in the English language, The Book of Margery Kempe (c.1436-8) describes the dramatic transformation of its heroine from failed business woman and lustful young wife to devout and chaste pilgrim.
Kempe vividly describes her prayers and visions, as well as the temptations in daily life to which she succumbed before dedicating herself to her spiritual calling. She travelled to the most holy sites of the medieval world, including Rome, Jerusalem and Canterbury.
In her life and boisterous devotion, Kempe antagonized many of those around her; yet she garnered friends and supporters who helped record her experiences. Her book opens a window on to the medieval world, and provides a fascinating portrait of one woman’s life, aspirations, spiritual doubts, and prayers.
You are warmly invited to join Canon Emma online each Tuesday evening via Zoom, to reflect and discuss this extraordinary account of a medieval wife, mother and mystic.
Together, over ten weeks, we shall read and discuss the complete text - focussing on specific chapters each week.
We will be reading the Oxford World’s Classic version, translated by the Birkbeck scholar Anthony Bale.
Whether you can join us for just a few or all of the gatherings, you are most welcome to read together this engaging and colourful work by a forceful and deeply spiritual lady of the fourteenth century.
The group is free, but any donation you may wish to make to the mission and ministry of the Cathedral will be warmly received.
Please reserve your space below to be sent a zoom link. It will be the same link for each week.
Each week Canon Emma will begin with a brief introduction followed by discussion and then concluding with prayer.
Week One - 10 September
Conversion of Life: Proem plus Chapters 1-9
Week Two - 17 September)
A Visit to Canterbury and Julian of Norwich: Chapters 10 to 20
Week Three - 24 September
On pilgrimage to the Holy Land: Chapters 21 to 30
Week Four - 1 October
Margery in Rome: Chapters 31 to 40
Week Five - 8 October
Margery causes a stir: Chapters 41 to 50
Week Six - 22 October
Trials and Tribulations: Chapters 51 to 58
Week Seven - 5 November
The Gift of Tears and revelations: Chapters 59 to 69
Week Eight - 12 November
Margery’s Ministry of Prayer: Chapters 70 to 78
Week Nine 19 November
Contemplating the Life of Christ: Chapters 79 to 89
Week Ten - 26 November
The Second Book: Chapters 1-10 plus Conclusion
For future suggestions of spiritual books for the group to read please email Canon Emma at [email protected]
Online Book Group: The Book of Margery Kempe (c.1436-8)
Supporting Resource
Following on from the series 'Julian of Norwich: a medieval take on lockdown and how to survive it', Canon Emma Pennington released 6-part series 'The English Mystics: their relevance for us today' in June 2021.
This series focused on the unique group of devotional writers at the end of the fourteenth century called The English Mystics. Each wrote from a different background and perspective but all spoke to a burgeoning lay audience about the life of faith and prayer.
It outlined who they are as a group and what their individual lives and writings have to say to us today which can be surprising relevant and rewarding.
The English Mystics - Episode Five: Margery Kemp
Watch this episode from Canon Emma's 6-part series, released in June 2021
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