Online Book Group: The Book of Margery Kempe (c.1436-8) - Conversion of Life: Proem & Chapters 1-9

These recordings include Canon Emma's introductions for each session, and 'questions to ponder' are listed below.
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Questions to ponder on (Proem & Chapters 1-9):
- What are your first impressions of the Book of Margery Kempe
- Does it have any resonances with the spiritual journey as we understand it today?
- Who do you think ‘wrote’ her text and what does the nothing of authorship mean in this context?
- In what ways do you relate to Margery?
- To what extent has Margery’s account been altered by time and shaped by later significance?
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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 (UK time), via Zoom
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.
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.
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: www.canterbury...
Please reserve your space to be sent a zoom link. It will be the same link for each week. www.eventbrite...
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 & Chapters 1 - 9
Week Two - 17 September
A Visit to Canterbury and Julian of Norwich: Chapters 10 - 20
Week Three - 24 September
On pilgrimage to the Holy Land: Chapters 21 - 30
Week Four - 1 October
Margery in Rome: Chapters 31 - 40
Week Five - 8 October
Margery causes a stir: Chapters 41 - 50
Week Six - 22 October
Trials and Tribulations: Chapters 51 - 58
Week Seven - 5 November
The Gift of Tears and revelations: Chapters 59 - 69
Week Eight - 12 November
Margery’s Ministry of Prayer: Chapters 70 - 78
Week Nine - 19 November
Contemplating the Life of Christ: Chapters 79 - 89
Week Ten - 26 November
The Second Book: Chapters 1 - 10 & Conclusion
For future suggestions of spiritual books for the group to read please email Canon Emma at [e-mail]