The Book of Margery Kempe is probably the oldest extant autobiography in English. In it, she talks of what she describes as her madness, visions, and religious experiences, along with her travels, which included pilgrimages all over Britain and the rest of Europe.
Both the autobiographical character of her book and the treatment of psychology have been considered very original. A heavily edited copy of her book, from which all suggestion of heterodox thought on her part was removed, appeared at the end of the Middle Ages, and was considered quite remarkable. In 1934, and original copy, without the editing, was found, and it is even more unusual.
Margery Kempe was born in 1373.
No, Margery Kempe was not insane. Margery Kempe had a medical condition that was brought on by her depression after she had her first child and tried to commit suicide.
Margery Kempe
Margery Kempe was a medieval English mystic and author, best known for her work "The Book of Margery Kempe," considered one of the first autobiographies in the English language. Born around 1373 in Bishop's Lynn, Norfolk, she experienced profound spiritual visions and became a lay mystic, traveling extensively throughout Europe and the Holy Land. Her writings offer insights into her religious experiences, societal norms, and the role of women during her time. Kempe's narrative is notable for its emotional depth and emphasis on personal faith.
Margery Kempe, an English mystic and author, died around 1438, likely due to natural causes related to her advanced age. Little is known about the specific circumstances of her death, but she lived a life marked by religious devotion and vivid spiritual experiences. Her writings, particularly "The Book of Margery Kempe," reflect her intense religious fervor and personal struggles, which may have influenced her later years. Her death marked the end of a significant, if unconventional, spiritual journey in medieval England.
Margery Kempe
Margery Kempe has written: 'The book of Margery Kempe, 1436' -- subject(s): Biography, Christian pilgrims and pilgrimages, Christian women, Early works to 1800, English Authors, History, Mysticism, Religious life, Women and literature 'Here begynneth a shorte treatyse of contemplacyon taught by our lorde Jhesu cryste, or taken out of the boke of Margerie kempe of lyn[n]' -- subject(s): Contemplation, Early works to 1800 'The Book of Margery Kempe vol I Text' 'Here begynneth a shorte treatyse of contemplacyon taught by our Lorde Jhesu Cryste' -- subject(s): Contemplation, Early works to 1800 'Book of Margery Kempe' -- subject(s): Biography, Christian pilgrims and pilgrimages, Christian women, Early works to 1800, English Authors, English Women authors, History, Mysticism, Religious life, Women and literature, Women mystics
That would be Margery Kempe who was known as a Christian mystic .
In "The Book of Margery Kempe," Margery attributes her recovery primarily to divine intervention and her deep faith in God. She portrays herself as a vessel of God's will, suggesting that her spiritual experiences and visions played a crucial role in her healing. Through prayer and her devotion, she believes that she received both physical and spiritual restoration. Ultimately, her narrative emphasizes the power of faith and divine grace in overcoming personal struggles.
Margery Kempe's illness began around the year 1393, shortly after the birth of her first child. She experienced a series of physical and emotional crises, which some scholars suggest may have been related to postpartum complications. This period of suffering led her to seek spiritual guidance and ultimately to pursue a life of religious devotion and mysticism. Her experiences are detailed in "The Book of Margery Kempe," one of the earliest autobiographies in English.
Margery Kempe refuses to tell her secret to the priest because she feels that her intimate spiritual experiences and struggles are too personal and profound to share. She also grapples with feelings of shame and vulnerability, fearing that her revelations might be misunderstood or judged. This highlights her inner conflict between her desire for spiritual guidance and her need for privacy in her deeply personal relationship with God. Ultimately, her decision underscores the complexity of her spiritual journey and the challenges of articulating her faith.
Harald Kempe was born in 1964.