MedievalWomen’sWritingWorkshop:ReadingPack.

Wednesday24thFebruary2018

GenerouslysupportedbytheDepartmentofFrench.

Contact:

LouiseCampion:L.G.E.Campion@warwick.ac.uk

JaneSinnett-Smith:J.Sinnett-Smith@warwick.ac.uk

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ClemenceofBarkingEngland,fl.c.1163to1200

LittleisknownaboutClemence,otherthantheinformationshegivesaboutherselfwhenshesignshernameattheendofherLifeofStCatherine,writteninAnglo-NormanFrenchinthelate12thcentury:thathernameisClemenceandsheisanunfromBarkingAbbeyinEssex.BarkingAbbeywasawealthyandpowerfulinstitutionthatmaintainedlinkstotheroyalandpoliticalelite.Barkingwasanimportantcentreforwomen’sliteraryculture,withseveralsurvivingworksbeingproducedbyorforthefemalecommunitythere,andthereisevidenceofarelativelysubstantiallibrary.TheLifeofStCatherinewrittenbyClemencefollowsthetaleofCatherineofAlexandria,ayoungChristianmartyrwhodiedintheearly4thcentury.ClemencetranslatesandadaptshertextintoFrenchfromaverypopular11thcenturyLatinversion.Incomparisontohersource,Clemenceisparticularlyinterestedinquestionsofwomen’sauthorshipandspeech.Hertextsurvivesin3manuscripts,atleastoneofwhichweknowwasownedbyanotherfemalereligiouscommunityatCampseyinEngland,suggestinghowthistextmightresonatewithareadershipofwomen.IwhohavetranslatedherlifeamcalledClemencebyname.IamanunofBarking,forloveofwhichItookthisworkinhand.FortheloveofGod,IprayandbeseechallwhowillhearthisbookandwholistentoitwithareceptivehearttopraytoGodonmybehalf,thathemayplacemysoulinparadiseandguardmybodywhileitisalive,hewhoreignsandlivesandwillreign,andisandwasandwillalwaysbe.(2689-2700)

Jokisavieaitranslatee,2690ParnunsuiClemencenumee.DeBerkingesuinunain.Purs’amurpriscestoevreenmein.Atuzcelskicestlivreorrunt,Ekideboncoerl’entenderunt,2695PuramurDeuprierequier,Qu’ilvoillentDeupurmeipreier,Qu’ilm’anmemetteenpareis,Eguartlecorstantcumertvis,Kiregneeviteregnera2700Eesteerteparmeindra.1.TheLifeofStCatherine,c.1163to1200TheLifeofStCatherinewrittenbyClemencefollowsthetaleofCatherineofAlexandria,ayoungChristianmartyrwhodiedintheearly4thcentury.AccordingtoClemence’stext,

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Catherinewasverywise,highlyeducated,andtrainedintheartsofargumentation.Aftershespeaksoutagainstpaganreligiouspractice,thepaganemperorMaxentiusembarksonaseriesofeffortstoconverthertopaganism,frompersuasiontoviolenttorture,butCatherineholdsfirmtoherChristianfaith.50ofthemostlearnedpaganphilosophersaresummonedtodebatewithher,butshedefeatsthemallwiththestrengthofherargumentsandherrhetoricalskill.Inthefollowingextract,oneofthephilosophersadmitsdefeat,praisingherwisdom:

Atthisoneoftheclerks,whowasveryworthyandwise,replied:‘Truly,’hesaid,‘lordemperor,sinceourmothersboreus,wehaveneverheardawomanspeakso,ordebatesowisely.Sheisnotrevealingfoolishthingstous,butmattersfulloftruth.Herargumentwasmainlyaboutthegodhead.Noonewithwhomwemighthavedebatedwaseverabletostanduptousso.Hewhothoughthimselfwiseattheoutsetthoughthimselfafoolattheend.Ihaveneverseenaclerk,howeverskilled,whomIcouldnothaveforcedtosurrender.ButIcannotrefuteherclaims,forIseenothingwrongwiththem.Itisnosmallthingthatthisladyadvancesagainstus.Shespeaksofthecreatoroftheworldandconfoundsourgodswiththetruth.Wenolongerknowwhattosaytoher,forourcauseisfalse.WetrulybelieveinherGod,whocreatedeverythingfromnothing.FromthemomentthisladyspoketousaboutJesusChrist’sholycross,hisname,hispower,hisdeathandhisbirth,allourwisdomfledandwewerecompletelyovercome.Webelieveinhimwithallourhearts;weshallsaynothingelsetoyou.’(1075-1108)

1075UnsclersrespuntaitantKymutestsagesetvailliant:“Certes,”faitil,“dreizemperere,Unkepuisquefumesneezdemere,N’oimesfemmesiparler,1080Nesisagementdesputer.Nenusmustrepaschosesveines,Enzsuntdeveritétutespleines.Leplusdunteleaddesputé,Estdeladivinité.1085UnkemesnenouspotcuntreesterNulakideigniumparler.Telsetientsageal’envairKefolsetientaldepartir.Unkesneviclercsivailliant,1090K’elenefeissetutrecreant.Messesdizdesdirenepuis,Karnulefauseténetruis.Ceon’estpaspetitechoseDuntcestedamenusoppose.

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1095Delfaitreparoledelmund,Etparveritétuznozdeusconfund.Nusneluisavummesdire,Karfauseeadnostremateire.EtsonDeucreumveraiment1100Kytuterienfistdenient.PuiskecestedamenusdistDelacroizseinteJhesuCrist,Desonnun,desapuissance,Desamortetdesanaissance,1105TrestuitlesancnusenfuiEtsisumestutesbay.DenosquersensonDeucreum;Autrechosenetedirrum.”

Englishtranslationfrom:JocelynWogan-BrowneandGlynS.Burgess(trans),VirginLivesandHolyDeaths:TwoExemplaryBiographiesforAnglo-NormanWomen(London:Everyman,1996),pp.19-20,43OldFrenchversionfrom:ElectronicCampseyProjecthttp://margot.uwaterloo.ca/campsey/cmphome_e.html

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MariedeFranceEngland,fl.c.1160-1215

ThelittleweknowaboutMariedeFrance,MarieofFrance,comesfromherownwriting,mostlikelyundertakenduringthe12thcenturyinEngland.AswellastranslationsofAesop’sFables,MarieisprobablybestknownforhercollectionofBretonLais,shorttextswhichareoftenidentifiedtodayashavinganinterestinCelticfolkloreandmagic,aswellasidentitypolitics.Shealsowroteasaint’slife,theLegendofthePurgatoryofSt.Patrick.ShepaintsanimageofherselfasatranslatorfromBretonandLatinintoFrench,andherwork,particularlytheFables,enjoyedmuchpopularityintheMiddleAges.HereweprovideyouwithmodernEnglishtranslationsoftheProloguetotheFablesfollowedbythefableoftheCrowandtheFox.1.Prologue

Learnedandletteredpeopleoughttodevotestudy,time,andthoughttothosewhosebooksandtextsarefullofsayings,tales,examples,allcomposedbythephilosophers,whomarkedwellwhatcametotheirears.Toteachthemoralandthegoodtheywrotedownproverbsthattheyheardsofolkwhowishedtheirlivestobettercouldprofitbythelearnedletter.Fatherstheyweretoallofus!Theemperor,oldRomulus,instructedthushisson,andbyhisownexampletaughttheboyhowhemustbeonguard,sothathenotbedoneinbysomeplot.Aesopwrotetohismaster,too--heknewhisman,hismindandview–fableshe’dfound;theyhadbeendonefromGreekintotheLatintongue.Somepeoplethoughtitludicroushe’dwastehismindtolaborthus.nofableissofoolish,though,thatwisdomisnotfoundthere,too;intheexamplesyou’llsoonsoothere’salwayssomephilosophy.Tome,whomustcomposetheserhymes,Ithappensthereare,oftentimes,wordsquiteunsuitableatbest.However,hewhodidrequestmytask,isflowerofchivalry,ofwisdomandofcourtesy.

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Whensuchamanapproachesme,innowaydoIwishtobeshirkerofanypainsinstore,thoughsomemaytakemeforaboorinhonoringsuchabehest.AndnowIshallbeginthefirstoffablesAesopuswrotedownandtohismasterpassedalong.2.TheCrowandtheFoxIthappenedonce--aswellitcould--thatbyawindowwithagoodpantryjustnexttoit,inside,acrowflewby;andtherehespiedsomecheeseslyingondisplay,spreadoutuponawickertray.Hesnatchedoneup,andflewaway.Hemetafoxwhileonhisway.Nowagreatlonginghadthisfoxtosharethecheese;hethoughtsometrickshe’dtry,somecunningstratagem,andthecrowmightbefooledbyhim.“DearGod,Sire”,saidthefox,“Iseeabirdofsuchgentility!nofairerfowlhaslivedonearth.NeverhaveIbeheldsuchworth!Doesthesongmatchtheform?Ifso,finegold’snaughttothisbeauteouscrow!”

Thispraisethecrowwasboundtohear.Onearthhethoughthehadnopeer,andheresolvedtosing,forheaschanteur,gotmuchflattery.Hesang,hisbeakwasallagape,thecheese,ofcourse,madeitsescape,andfellrightdownupontheground.Andthefoxsnappeditwithabound.Nowhe’dnocareforsong,nopraise;hehadhisobject,andhischeese.Exampletake:theproudmusthave

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thepraiseandplauditsthattheycrave;byliesandtricksandblandishmentsthey’remadetoserviceothers’wants.Fools,squanderers,they’venotachancewithcunningfraudsandsycophants.ExtractstakenfromMariedeFrance:Poetry,trans.anded.ByDorothyGilbert(NewYork:W.W.Norton&Co.,2015.

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ChristinedePizanFrance,1364–c.1430

ChristinedePizanwasborninVenicein1364,butgrewupattheFrenchcourtofCharlesV,whereshewaseducatedbyherfather,acourtphysicianandastrologer.Shewasmarriedat15,andwhenherhusbanddiedtenyearslatershewaslefttorunhisestateandsupportherthreechildren,aswellasanieceandherownmother.Around1399Christineturnedtowritingtomakealiving.Shewashugelysuccessful,enjoyingthepatronageandfinancialsupportofinfluentialfiguresatcourt.Hervastandvariedoutputincludeslyricpoetry,biography,andmoralanddidactictreatises.Sheoftenincludedautobiographicaldetailsaboutherownlifeinherwork,andwroteeloquentlyontheroleofwomeninsociety.1.TheLetteroftheGodofLove,1399

L’epistreauDieud’amoursisoneofChristine’searliestworks.TheLetteriswritteninthevoiceofCupid,thegodoflove,whoaddressesittoallwhoareinhisservice.IntheLetter,Christinetakesaimatthemisogynyandanti-feminismofthe(male,clerical)literaryestablishment.Inthisextract,Cupiddefendswomenfromtheslanderousaccusationslevelledatthembymen:

“Whythenifwomenareweakandflighty,andeasilymanipulated,sillyandlackingself-control,assomeclerklyauthorssay,whydothosewhopursuethemhaveanyneedofruse?Andwhydowomennotgiveinatonce,withoutrequiringthatstrategiesandtricksbeusedtocatchthem?Foritisnotnecessarytogotowarforacastlethatisalreadycaptured.[...]Itisnecessarytoconcludethat,sincescheming,greatingenuityandgreateffortarerequiredtodeceiveanobleorlow-bornwoman,theyarenotsofickleasitissaid,noristheirbehavioursochangeable.

Andifanyonesaystomethatbooksarefullofsuchficklewomen(achargemadebymany,andonethatIdislike),Ianswerthatwomendidnotwritethebooks,nordidtheyputintothemthethingsthatonereadsthereagainstwomenandtheirbehaviour.Thusdomaleauthorswritetotheirhearts’delighttheirdescriptionsofwomen;theseauthorsshownomercywhentheypleadtheircases,happytoyieldinnothingandtotakeforthemselvesthespoilsofvictory:foraggressivepeoplequicklyattackthosewhodonotdefendthemselves.Butifwomenhadwrittenthebooks,iknowforafactthattheywouldhavebeenwrittendifferently,forwomenwellknowthattheyarewronglycondemned.Thepartsarenotfairlydistributed,forthestrongesttakethelargestpieces,andtheonewhodividesupthepiecestakesthebestforhimself.”

TheSelectedWritingsofChristinedePizan,trans.RenateBlumenfeld-KosinskiandKevinBrownlee(NewYork:W.W.Norton,1997),p.22-23

‘Etcommentdoncquantfreslesetlegieres,

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380Ettournables,nycesetpouentieresSontlesfemmes,sicomaucunsclersdient,QuelbesoingdoncestilaceulzquiprientDetantpourcepourchacierdecautelles?Etpourquoytostnes’iaccordentelles385Sanzqu’ilfailleartn’enginaellesprendre?Carpourchastelprisnefaultguerreemprendre.…Dontconvientiltoutdeneccessité,Puisqu’artconvient,grantengineetgrantpeine,Adecevoirfemmenobleouvillaine,405Qu’elznesoientmiesivariables,Commeaucundit,n’enleurfaitsimuables.Ets’onmeditlilivreensonttuitplein,C’estleresponsamaintdontjemeplain,Jeleurresponsqueleslivresnefirent410Paslesfemmes,neleschosesn’imirentQuel’enylistcontreellesetleursmeurs:Sidevisental’aisedeleurscuersCeulzquiplaidentleurcausesanzpartie,Sanzrabatrecontent,etgrantpartie415Prenentpoureulx,cardelegieroffendentLesbatailleuxceulzquinesedeffendent.MaissefemmeseussentleslivresfaitJesçaydevrayqu’autrementfustdufait,Carbiensceventqu’atortsontencoulpées,420Sinesontpasadroitlesparscoupées,Carlesplusforsprenentlaplusgrantpart,Etlemeilleurpoursoyquipiecespart.’MauriceRoy(ed.),ŒuvrespoétiquesdeChristinedePisan,3vols(Paris:FirminDidot,1886–96;rpt.NewYork:JohnsonReprintCorporation,1965),vol2,pp.13–142.TheBookoftheCityofLadies,1405[AdaptedfromTheBookoftheCityofLadies,trans.RosalindBrown-Grant(London:PenguinBooks,1999),pp.Xvii-xviii]LeLivredelaCitédesDamesiscomposedofacatalogueofbiographiesofcelebratedwomen,withintheframeworkofadream-visioninwhichChristineistheprotagonist.Thevisioncomestoherwhensheisreadingamisogynisttiradeagainstmarriagethatvilifieswomenasdepravedandmalicious.ThreepersonifiedVirtues-Reason,Rectitudeand

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JusticecometoChristinetocorrectthenegativeportrayalofwomen,informingChristinethatshewillwriteabookthatwillrefutethemisogynists’accusationsagainstwomen.Thisbookwillbelikeacitythathousesvirtuouswomenandprotectsthemfromanti-feministattack.TheVirtuesprovideChristinewithexamplesofdistinguishedheroineswhodemonstratethecrucialrolewomenhaveplayedinhumanhistory.Inthispassage,ChristinespeakswithRectitudeabouttheeducationofwomen:BookII,Chapter36.Againstthosewhoclaimthatitisnotgoodforwomentobeeducated.Afterhearingthesewords,I,Christine,said,‘Mylady,Icanclearlyseethatmuchgoodhasbeenbroughtintotheworldbywomen.Evenifsomewickedwomenhavedoneevilthings,itstillseemstomethatthisisfaroutweighedbyallthegoodthatotherwomenhavedoneandcontinuetodo.Thisisparticularlytrueofthosewhoarewiseandwelleducatedineithertheartsorthesciences,whomwementionedbefore.That’swhyI'mallthemoreamazedattheopinionofsomemenwhostatethattheyarecompletelyopposedtotheirdaughters,wivesorotherfemalerelativesengaginginstudy,forfearthattheirmoralswillbecorrupted.’Rectitudereplied,‘Thisshouldprovetoyouthatnotallmen’sargumentsarebasedonreason,andthatthesemeninparticulararewrong.Thereareabsolutelynogroundsforassumingthatknowledgeofmoraldisciplines,whichactuallyinculcatevirtue,wouldhaveamorallycorruptingeffect.Indeed,there’snodoubtwhatsoeverthatsuchformsofknowledgecorrectone’svicesandimproveone’smorals.Howcouldanyonepossiblethinkthatbystudyinggoodlessonsandadviceonewillbeanytheworseforit?[...]Therefore,itisnotallmen,especiallythemostintelligent,whoagreewiththeviewthatitisabadideatoeducatewomen.However,it’struethatthosewhoarenotveryclevercomeoutwiththisopinionbecausetheydon’twantwomentoknowmorethantheydo.’TheBookoftheCityofLadies,trans.RosalindBrown-Grant(London:PenguinBooks,1999),pp.139-41.

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JulianofNorwichEngland,c.1342-c.1416.

JulianofNorwichisregardedasthefirstwriterinEnglishwhocanbeconfidentlyidentifiedasawoman.Everythingthatweknowaboutherisdrawnfromhercollectionofextraordinaryvisions,whicharevariouslyreferredtoasshowings,revelations,andhaveoftenbeengatheredtogetherunderthetitleof‘RevelationsofDivineLove’.NothingisknownofJulian’sbackground,notevenherrealname;sheiscalled‘JulianofNorwich’afterStJulian’sChurch,inNorwich,whereshelivedasananchoress[anenclosednun]formostofherlife.On8May1373,whenseriouslyillandseeminglyonthevergeofdeath,JulianreceivedaseriesofremarkablevisionsfromGod,beginningwhenherpriestheldupacrucifixforhertolookat,andshesawbloodtricklingdownChrist’sface.Whensherecoveredfromherillness,Julianspentmanyyearscontemplatingthesignificanceofthesevisions,whichshebelievedtobemessagesthatallChristiansshouldhear.Hervisionssuggested,amongotherthings,thatGodisourmotheraswellasourfather,andthatnoChristianwilleverbedamned;JulianstruggledtoreconciletheseideaswiththeconventionalteachingsoftheChurch.Shewrotetwoaccountsofhervisions:anearlier,shorterversion,andalaterlongerversion,whichdemonstrateshowherthinkingdevelopedovertime.Inlaterlife,shebecamearenownedspiritualadviser,aswellasavisionary.Hervisionsareoftennotedfortheirbeautifullanguageandmetaphors,aswellastheirboldattributionoffemininecharacteristicstoGod.1.ExcerptfromtheShortText,Vision6.AndifanymanorwomanceasestoloveanyofhisfellowChristians,thenhelovesnone,forhedoesnotloveatall;andsoatthatmomentheisnotsaved,forheisnotatpeace;andhewholovesallhisfellowChristianslovesallthatis;forinthosewhoshallbesaved,allisincluded:thatisallthatismadeandtheMakerofall;forinmanisGod,andsomanisinall.AndhewholovesallhisfellowChristiansinthisway,helovesall;andhewholovesinthiswayissaved.AndthusIwishtolove,andthusIlove,andthusIamsaved.(IamspeakinginthepersonofmyfellowChristians).AndthemoreIlovewiththiskindoflovewhileIamhere,themorelikeIamtotheblissthatIshallhaveinheavenwithoutend,whichisGod,whoinhisendlesslovewaswillingtobecomeourbrotherandsufferforus.AndIamsurethatwhoeverlooksatitinthiswaywillbetrulytaughtandgreatlycomfortedifheneedscomfort. ButGodforbidthatyoushouldsayorassumethatIamateacher,forthatisnotwhatImean,nordidIevermeanit;forIamawoman,ignorant,weakandfrail.ButIknowwellthatIhavereceivedwhatIsayfromhimwhoisthesupremeteacher.Butintruth,Iammovedtotellyouaboutitbylove,forIwishGodtobeknownandmyfellowChristianshelped,asIwishtobehelpedmyself,sothatsinshallbemorehatedandGodmoreloved.JustbecauseIamawoman,mustIthereforebelievethatImustnottellyouaboutthegoodnessofGod,whenIsawatthesametimebothhisgoodnessandhiswish

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thatitshouldbeknown?Andyouwillseethatclearlyinthechapterswhichfollow,iftheyarewellandtrulyunderstood.2.ExcerptfromtheShortText,Vision8.AndafterthisIsawwithmybodilysightinthefaceofChristonthecrucifixwhichhungbeforeme,whichIwaslookingatcontinuously,apartofhisPassion:contemptandspitting,whichsoiledhisbody,andblowsonhisblessedface,andmanylingeringpains,morethanIcantell,andfrequentchangesofcolour,andallhisblessedfacecoveredatonetimeindryblood.Isawthisbodilyindistressanddarkness,andIwishedforbetterbodilylighttoseeitmoreclearly.AndIwasansweredinmyreasonthatifGodwantedtoshowmemorehewould,butIneedednolightbuthim. AndafterthisIsawGodinaninstant,thatisinmyunderstanding,andinseeingthisIsawthatheisineverything.Ilookedattentively,knowingandrecognizinginthisvisionthathedoesallthatisdone.Imarvelledatthissightwithquietawe,andIthought,‘Whatissin?’ForIsawtrulythatGoddoeseverything,nomatterhowsmall.Andnothinghappensbyaccidentorluck,butbytheeternalprovidenceofGod’swisdom.ThereforeIwasobligedtoacceptthateverythingwhichisdoneiswelldone,andIwassurethatGodneversins.Thereforeitseemedtomethatsinisnothing,forinallthisvisionnosinappeared.SoImarvellednolongeraboutthisbutlookedatourLordtoseewhathewouldshowme;andatanothertimeGodshowedmewhatsinis,initsnakedessence,asIshallIrecountlater. AndafterthisIsaw,asIwatched,thebodyofChristbleedingabundantly,hotandfreshlyandvividly,justasIsawtheheadbefore.AndIsawthebloodcomingfromwealsfromthescourging,andinmyvisionitransoabundantlythatitseemedtomethatifatthatmomentithadbeennaturalblood,thewholebedwouldhavebeenbloodsoakedandeventheflooraround.*Godhasprovidedusonearthwithabundantwaterforouruseandbodilyrefreshment,becauseofthetenderlovehehasforus,yetitpleaseshimbetterthatweshouldfreelytakehisholybloodtowashawayoursins;forthereisnoliquidcreatedwhichhelikestogiveussomuch,foritissoplentifulanditsharesournature.*Thisreferstothebed,andbedroom,thatJulianherselfislyingin,asshereceivesthesevisionswhensheisverysick.

JulianofNorwichextractstakenfromRevelationsofDivineLove.Ed.andtrans.ElizabethSpearing.London:Penguin,1998.Print.

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MargeryKempeEngland,c.1373-c.1439

MargeryKempewasborninwhatisnowKing’sLynn,inNorfolk,thedaughterofasuccessfulmerchant.Shortlyaftershewasmarriedandhadgivenbirthtoherfirstchild,shereceivedherfirstvisionofChrist.Aftergivingbirthtoafurtherthirteenchildren,andattemptingsomewhatunsuccessfullytomakealivingfrombrewingandmilling,Margerydevotedherselftoalifeofpenance,prayer,andpilgrimage.TheBookofMargeryKempeisoftencitedasthefirstautobiographyinEnglish,anddetailseverythingfromMargery’smaritalproblemsandherstintasanunsuccessfulbusinesswoman,toherextensivepilgrimagesacrosstheHolyLand,aswellashervisitstoallofthemajorholysitesinEurope.Herpilgrimagevisitsareoftencharacterisedbyheruncontrollablecryingandweepingatvariousimportantlocations,includingtheChurchoftheHolySepulchreinJerusalem.Itseemsthatshedidnotgetalongatallwellwithherfellowpilgrims,andsheoftencomplainsthattheyignoreherandturnawayfromher,andevenmentionsthattheycan’tstandtotravelalongsideher.Margery’sBookalsorecordssomeofhermysticalvisions,inwhichsheispresentatboththeNativityandthePassionofChrist,quiteaudaciouslyinsertingherselfintoBiblicalnarrative.Inafewplaces,itseemsasthoughsheismakingthecaseforherselftobemadeasaint,wantingrecognitionforherboldandoutlandishspirituality.FromTheBookofMargeryKempe.ThisexcerptfromtheproemtoMargery’sBookintroducesapervasivethemeofthetextasawhole,thatofMargeryasmalignedandinsultedbythosearoundher,whilealsodetailingsomeofthereasonsastowhyMargerywaskeentowritedownher‘treatise’.WhatisnotableaboutthispassageisthatMargeryoftenreferstoherselfinthethirdperson,as‘thiscreature’.Margerycallsherselfa‘creature’throughouttheBook,andthequestionofwhythetextiswritteninthethirdpersonisveryinteresting,asitprovokessomedebateaboutpreciselywhatismeantbytheterm‘author’.MargeryisoftencitedasoneofthefirstEnglishfemaleauthors,butshedidnotphysicallywritehernarrativedownherself.Rather,shedictatedittoseveraldifferentscribesandlisteners,includingoneofhersonsandherlocalpriest,whowasinitiallyreluctanttorecordherstoryasMargerywasthesubjectofsuchahighvolumeofunfavourablegossip.1.ProemInthenameofJesusChrist.

Herebeginsashortandcomfortingtreatiseforsinfulwretches,inwhichtheymighthavegreatsolaceandcomfortforthemselvesandunderstandthehighandindescribablemercyofoursovereignSaviour,LordJesusChrist-whosenameshallbeworshippedandmagnifiedwithoutend-whonowinourtimedeignstoexerciseHisnobilityandHisgoodnesstous,theunworthyones.AlltheworksofourSaviourarefor

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ourexampleandinstruction,andwhatevergraceHeworksinanycreatureistoourprofit,iflackofcharitybenotourhindrance.

Sotherefore,bytheleaveofourmercifulLordChristJesus,tothemagnifyingofHisholyname,Jesus,thislittletreatiseshalldealsomewhatwithpartsofHiswonderfulworks;howmercifully,howbenignly,andhowcharitablyHemovedandstirredasinfulwretchtowardsHislove,thewhichsinfulwretchformanyyearswantedandintended,throughthepromptingoftheHolyGhost,tofollowourSaviour,makinggreatpromisesoffastsandmanyotherpenitentialdeeds.Yetshewasalwaysturnedbackintimesoftemptation-likethereed’sstalkwhichbowswitheverywindandisneverunwaveringunlessnowindblows-untilthattimethatourmercifulLordJesusChrist,havingpityandcompassionforHishandiworkandHiscreature,turnedhealthintosickness,prosperityintoadversity,esteemintodisgrace,andloveintohatred.

Thuswithallthesethingsturningupsidedown,thiscreature,whoformanyyearshadgoneastrayandalwaysbeenunstable,wasperfectlydrawnandstirredtoenteruponthewayofperfection,theperfectwaywhichChristourSaviourinHisownpersonexemplified:steadfastlyHetroditgravelyanddulyHetookitbefore.Thenthiscreature(ofwhomthistreatiseshall,throughthemercyofJesus,revealinpartthemannerofliving)wastouchedbyourLord’shandwithgreatbodilysicknessthroughwhichshelostherreasonandherwitsforalongtimeuntilourLord,bygrace,returnedhertohealthagain,asshalllaterbeshownmoreopenly.Herworldlygoods,whichinthosedayswereplentifulandabundant,wereshortlyafterwardsutterlybarrenandbare.Thenpompandpridewascastdownandputaside.Thosewhohadpreviouslyrespectedherafterwardsrebukedhermostsharply;herkinsmenandthosewhohadbeenherfriendswerenowherutmostenemies.Thenshe,consideringthisshockingchange,andseekingsuccourunderthewingsofherspiritualmother,HolyChurch,wentandsubmittedherselftoherconfessor,accusingherselfofmisdeedsandafterwardsshedidgreatphysicalpenance.InashorttimeourmercifulLordvisitedthiscreaturewithprofusetearsofcontritiondaybyday,somuchsothatsomepeoplesaidshewouldweepwhenevershewantedtoandindoingsotheyslanderedtheworkofGod.

Shewassousedtobeingslanderedanddisgraced,tobeingchidedandrebukedbytheworldforthegraceandvirtuewithwhichshewasprovidedthroughthestrengthoftheHolyGhost,thatitwasakindofsolaceandcomforttoherwhenshesufferedanydistressfortheloveofGodandforthegracethatGodperformedinher.Sincethemoreslanderanddisgracethatshesuffered,themoresheincreasedingraceandholymeditation,ofhighcontemplation,andofwonderfulspeechesandconversationwhichourLordspokeandintimatedtohersoul,teachingherhowsheshouldbedespisedforHislove,howsheshouldhavepatience,settingallhertrust,allherlove,andallheraffectiononHimonly.

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2.FromBookOne,Chapter30.ThisexcerptdealswithsomeofMargery’smostsignificantpilgrimagevisitstoanumberofsitesacrosstheHolyLand,manyofwhichareimportantplacesinBiblicalnarrative.ItalsopicksupthethemeofMargeryasmalignedanddislikedbyherfellowtravellers:somewouldnotevenbepaidtotakeajourneywithher.Margeryismuchmorecomfortable,andapparentlybetterliked,bythelocalpeoplethatshemeetsalongtheway,andtheyareseentofacilitateherdevotion.ThegreatscaleofMargery’stravels,alongwithherdoggeddeterminationtovisitthemostimportantholysitesiscleartosee,andsheisfrequentlyspurredonbyinteractionswithGod.Anothertime,thiscreature’spartywantedtogototheRiverJordanandwouldnotlethergowiththem.ThenthiscreaturepleadedwithourLordthatshemightgowiththem,andhechargedthatsheshouldgowiththemwhethertheywanteditornot.AndthenshesetoutbythegraceofGodanddidnotasktheirpermission.WhenshecametotheRiverJordan,theweatherwassohotthatshebelievedherfeetwouldburnfortheheatthatshefelt.

AfterthatshewentonwithhercompanionstoMountQuarantine,whereourLordfastedforfortydays.Theresheaskedhercompanionstohelpherupthemountain.Andtheysaid‘no’,becausetheycouldbarelyhelpthemselvesup.Thenshehadmuchsorrow,forshecouldnotgetupthehill.AndthenaSaracen*,agood-lookingman,chancedtocomeuponher,andsheputagroatintohishand,makingsignstohimtotakeherupthemountain.AndswiftlytheSaracentookherunderhisarmandledherupthehighmountainwhereourLordfastedforfortydays.Thenshewasterriblythirstyandhadnosympathyfromherparty.ThenGod,inHishighgoodness,movedtheGreyFriarswithcompassionandtheycomfortedherwhenherowncompatriotswouldnotevenacknowledgeher.

AndsoshewaseverstrengthenedintheloveofourLordandallthemoreboldtosuffershamesandrebukesforHissakeineveryplaceshewent,forthegracethatGodperformedinherinweeping,sobbing,andcrying,thewhichgraceshecouldnotresistwhenGodwishedtosendit.AndshealwaysprovedherfeelingsweretrueandthosepromisesthatGodhadmadetoherwhileshewasinEngland,andinotherplacestoo,cametoherinactualityjustasshehadsensedbefore,andthereforeshedaredthebetterreceivesuchspeechesandconversations,andactallthemoreboldlythereafter.

Afterthat,whenthiscreaturehadcomedownfromtheMount,asGodwishes,shewentonwardstotheplacewhereStJohntheBaptistwasborn.AndafterthatshewenttoBethany,whereMaryandMarthalived,andtothegravewhereLazaruswasburiedandraisedfromdeathtolife.ShealsowenttothechapelwhereourblessedLordappearedtoHisblissfulmotherbeforeallothersonEasterDayinthemorning.AndshestoodinthesameplacewhereMaryMagdalenefirststoodwhenChristsaidtoher,‘Mary,whyweepestthou?’Andsoshewasinmanymoreplacesthanarewritten,forshewasinJerusalemforthreeweeksandintheregionsthereabouts.Andshewasalwaysverydevoutwhileshewasinthatregion.

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AndthefriarsoftheTemplemadeherverywelcomeandgavehermanyfinerelics,wishingthatshemightstaywiththem,ifshewanted,astheyhadsuchfaithinher.Also,theSaracensmademuchofherandescortedherandledheraroundtheregion,wherevershewishedtogo.Andshefoundallthepeopletobegoodandgentletowardsher,exceptherowncompanions.

AndasshecamefromJerusalemtoRamlah,shewantedtoreturntoJerusalemforthegreatgraceandspiritualcomfortthatshehadfeltwhenshewasthere,andtopurchasemorepardonsforherself.AndthenourLordcommandedhertogotoRome,andfromtherehometoEngland,andsaidtoher:‘Daughter,asoftenasyousayorthink,“WorshippedbeallthoseholyplacesinJerusaleminwhichChristsufferedbitterpainandPassion”youshallhavethesamepardonasifyouwerephysicallypresentthere,bothforyourselfandforallthosetowhomyouwishtogiveit.’

AndasshewentontoVenice,manyofhercompanionswerereallysick,andourLordalwayssaidtoher,‘Donotbeafraid,daughter,nopersonshalldieintheshipyouarein.’

Andshefoundherfeelingstobereallytrue.AndwhenourLordhadbroughtthembacktoVeniceinsafety,hercompatriotsforsookherandwentawayfromher,leavingheralone.Andsomeofthemsaidthattheywouldnottravelwithherforahundredpounds.*‘Saracen’isatermthatisoftenusedinmedievaltextstodescribeArabic-speakingMuslimpeoples.MargeryKempeexcerptstakenfrom:TheBookofMargeryKempe.Ed.andtrans.AnthonyBale.Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress,2015.Print.

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ImportantDates:Timeline.

c.1160-c.1215:MariedeFrancewriteshermostimportantworks.

c.1163-c.1200:ClemenceofBarkingcomposesTheLifeofSt.Catherine.

c.1342:BirthofJulianofNorwich.

1364:BirthofChristinedePizan.

1380:ChristinedePizanismarried,aged15,andiswidowed10yearslater.

c.1373:BirthofMargeryKempe.

1373:JulianofNorwichbeginstoreceivehervisions.

c.1405:ChristinedePizanfinishesTheBookoftheCityofLadies.

1413:MargeryKempesetsoffforJerusalem,alsovisitingBologna,Constance,andVenice,amongotherplaces.

c.1416:DeathofJulianofNorwich.

1417:MargeryKempetravelstoSantiagodeCompostela.

c.1432:ApproximatedateoffirstwritingdownofMargeryKempe’sBook.

1436:PrieststartstorewritepartsofMargeryKempe’sBook.

c.1438:DeathofMargeryKempe.

c.1460:DeathofChristinedePizan.

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AselectionofotherwomenwritinginEurope,1000-1500:11thcentury:UmmAl-Kiram,Andalusianpoetandprincess,wrotelovepoetryinArabicWalladabintal-Mustakfi,1001-1091,noblepoetfromCordoba,9ArabicpoemssurviveMuhyabintAl-Tayyani,poetofnon-noblebirthfromCordoba,becameastudentofWallada,composedinArabicNazhunal-Garnatiyabintal-Qulai’iya,d.c.1100,poetfromGranada,oflow-statusbirth,composedwittyArabicverseAl-Rumaikiyya,c.1045/1047-?,AndalusianpoetandqueenofSeville,composedpoetryinArabicAva(ofGöttweig?OfMelk?),c.1060-1127,firstnamedwomanwriterinGerman,composedreligiouspoemsinMiddleHighGermanButhainabintal-Mu'tamidibnAbbad,1070-?,IberianpoetandprincesswritinginArabic12thcentury:AnnaKomnene,1083-1153,Byzantineprincessandscholar,hermajorworkisthehistorytext,theAlexiad,inGreekTrotaofSalerno,12thcentury,Italianphysicianandmedicalwriter,associatedwithseveralmedicalworksinLatinincluding‘PracticalMedicineAccordingtoTrota’,and‘OnTreatmentsforWomen’HildegardofBingen,1098-1179ḤamdabintZiyādAlMuaddib,poetfromGuadixinGranada,wroteinArabicHéloïse,1090/1100-1164,Frenchnunandscholar,7lettersinLatintoherformerloverPeterAbelardsurviveTiborsdeSarenom,c.1130–1198,theearliestattestabletrobairitz,orwomantroubadour,whowrotelyricpoetryinOccitan,thelanguageofsouthernFranceandCataloniaHerradofLandsberg,c.1130-1195,nunandabbessfromAlsace,completedpictorialencyclopediaTheGardenofDelightsinLatinin1185

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Ḥafṣabintal-Ḥājjar-Rakūniyya,c.1135-1190/91,aristocraticpoetfromGranada,19compositionssurive,includinglovepoetry,elegyandsatiricalverseMariedeFrance,fl.C.1160-1215AnonymousnunofBarking,fl.c.1163-89,anonymousnunfromBarkingAbbeyinEssex,wroteaLifeofEdwardtheConfessorinAnglo-NormanFrenchClemenceofBarking,fl.C.1163-1200AlmucsdeCastelnau,c.1140-1184,trobairitz(womantroubadour)fromProvence,wroteinOccitanIseutdeCapio,c.1140-?,trobairitz(womantroubadour)fromGévaudaninsouthernFrance,wroteinOccitanAzalaisdePorcairagues,late12thcentury,trobairitz(womantroubadour),wroteinOccitanComtessadeDia,fl.c.1175orc.1212,trobairitz(womantroubadour),wroteinOccitanMariadeVentadorn,late12thcentury,trobairitz(womantroubadour),wroteinOccitan,1worksurvivesfromc.119713thCentury:RebeccadeGuarna,fl.1200,Italianphysician,wroteseveralmedicaltractsinLatinincluding‘OnUrine’,‘OnFever’,and‘OntheEmbryo’Marie,fl.early13thcentury,workedinEngland,wroteaLifeofSaintAudreyinAnglo-NormanFrenchCastelloza,fl.early13thcentury,aristocratictrobairitz(womantroubadour)fromAuvergne,wroteinOccitanDameMargotandDameMaroie,fl.13thcentury,2poetsfromArrasinFrance,whodebateeachotherinadebatepoeminOldFrenchBeatriceofNazareth,c.1200-1268,nunfromTieneninFlanders,wrotereligiousdissertationTheSevenWaysofHolyLoveinMiddleDutchMechthildofMagdeburg,c.1207–1282/1294,nobleGermanmystic,composesTheFlowingLightofDivinityinMiddleLowGermanc.1250-c.1280GormondadeMonpeslier,fl.1226–1229,trobairitz(womantroubadour)fromMontpellier,wroteinOccitan

19

Marguerited'Oingt,c.1240-1310,Frenchnunandmystic,composesMeditationsinLatinin1286,aswellas2textsinFranco-ProvençalMargueritePorete,c.1248/1250-1310,Frenchmystic,composesTheMirrorofSimpleSoulsinOldFrenchinthe1290sHadewijchofBrabant,poetandmysticfromBrabant,composesletters,visionsandpoetryinMiddleDutchGertrudetheGreat,1256–c.1302,Germannun,mysticandtheologian,composesTheHeraldofDivineLoveinLatinfrom128914thcentury:ChristinaEbner,1277–1356,Germannunandmystic,composesLifeandRevelationsinGermanc.1317-1324,theBookofSistersfrom1344andasecondbookofRevelationsfrom1352BridgetofSweden,1303-1373,noblemysticfromSweden,recordedhermysticalvisionsinthetextCelestialRevelations,translatedintoMiddleEnglishc.1410-1420CatherineofSweden,c.1332-1382,SwedishsaintandthedaughterofBridget,wroteadevotionalworkentitledConsolationoftheSoulinSwedishMilicaofSerbia,c.1335-1405,Serbianprincess,composedprayersandreligiouspoetryinSerbian,including‘AMother’sPrayer’andthemourningpoem‘MyWidowhood’sBridegroom’CatherineofSiena,1347-1380,Italiannunandphilosopher,recordedhervisionsinTheDialogueofDivineProvidenceinLatin,1377-1378,lettersandprayersalsosurviveJulianofNorwich,1342–c.1416,Englishanchoressandmystic,writesRevelationsofDivineLovec.1395inEnglishChristinedePizan,1364-c.143015thcentury:MargeryKempe,c.1373-c.1439HeleneKottanner,c.1400-c.1470,Hungariancourtier,composedabookc.1451entitledReminiscencesinGerman,recountingherroleinthetheftoftheHungarianCrownonStStephenattherequestofQueenElizabethofHungaryCatherineofBologna,1413-1463,Italiannunandartist,writesTreatiseontheSevenSpiritualWeaponsNecessaryforSpiritualWarfare1438-1456inItalian

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FlorenciaPinar,poetfromCastile,4worksinCastiliansurviveTeresadeCartagena,c.1425-?,Spanishnun,2worksinSpanishsurvive,GroveoftheInfirmandWonderattheWorksofGodZusterBertken,1426-1514,Dutchanchorite,wroteseveraldevotionalsongsandhymnsEleanordePoitiers,1444/1446-1509,noblewomanfromBurgundy,writesetiquettebookLesHonneursdelaCourinthe1480sinFrenchGwerfulMechain,fl.1460–1502,noblepoetfromMechaininPowys,wrotereligiousanderoticpoetryinWelsh,includingOdetothePubicHair