The book of Margery Kempe / Margery Kempe ; translated with an introduction and notes by Anthony Bale.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kempe, Margery, approximately 1373- author.

Contributor:

Bale, Anthony, 1975- translator.

Series:

Oxford world's classics (Oxford University Press)

Oxford world's classics

Language:

English

English, Middle (1100-1500)

Subjects (All):

Kempe, Margery, approximately 1373-.

Kempe, Margery.

Women authors, English--Middle English, 1100-1500--Biography.

Women authors, English.

Christian women--England--Biography.

Christian women.

Christian women--Religious life--England--Early works to 1800.

Mysticism--England--Early works to 1800.

Mysticism.

Christian women--Religious life.

England.

Genre:

Biographies.

Autobiographies.

Physical Description:

275 pages : illustrations, maps ; 20 cm.

Edition:

New edition / translated by Anthony Bale.

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2015.

Summary:

The Book of Margery Kempe (c. 1436-8) is the extraordinary account of a medieval wife, mother, and mystic. Known as the earliest autobiography written in the English language, Kempe's Book describes the dramatic transformation of its heroine from failed businesswoman and lustful young wife, to devout and chaste pilgrim. She 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 and Jerusalem. In her life and her boisterous devotion, Kempe antagonized many of those around her; yet she also garnered friends and supporters who helped to record her experiences. Her Book opens a window to the medieval world, and provides a fascinating portrait of one woman's life, aspirations, and prayers. This new translation preserves the forceful narrative voice of Kempe's Book and includes a wide-ranging introduction and useful notes. - Amazon

Contents:

Introduction

Note on Text and Translation

Select Bibliography

A Note on Money

A Chronology of Margery Kempe

Map: Major Places Visited by Margery Kempe. The Book of Margery Kempe. Explanatory Notes

Glossary of Offices and Institutions

Index.

Notes:

Translated from the Middle English.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780199686643

0199686645

OCLC:

898153051