Truely a Saint or Merely a Clever Woman?An Examination of Margery Kempe

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It is incredibly difficult to be certain whether Margery Kempe is indeed a saint or simply a terribly clever woman who used her knowledge of Scripture for her own purposes. There are many examples in her “book” that lead us to believe she is truly a saint. Other times, her sainthood is questionable, as she may be using God as an excuse to distance herself from her husband. In a time when women are to be chaste, silent, and obedient, it is tempting to say that both are the same thing.


Without deeply analyzing Kempe’s “book,” one would easily characterize her as a saint, or at least holding saint-like qualities. This became the role she took on once her mental condition was back to normal. She devoted her life to God thinking, “she was bound by (Him) and that she would be His servant” (6). In doing so, she accepted only Christ in her life, rejecting even her own husband as a lover and confidant. The reader, being sinners themselves, easily characterize this as a pure act; that of a Christian who is devoted to their religion; something most readers would have a hard time relating to. As the reader gets further into her “book,” she is seen in a pure light and with each one of her emotions, thoughts, and prayers, her pure heart and impeccable soul are hoisted onto a pedestal most readers could never reach.


The evidence that she gives us backs her story. The period in which Kempe was very materialistic, she saw visions of the Devil and was tormented by them. It was not until she accepted Christ and committed her entire being to him, that she regained peace. She also journeyed to spread the word of the Lord, despite the wishes of the Archbishop. Her rebuttal was that “God almighty forbids not, sir, that we speak of him” (76).


Without questioning the authority or honorability of Kempe, she is obviously a saint. Not only did she put Christ above all worldly things, but He also spoke to her. He strengthened her saying, “’Daughter, why hast thou forsaken me, and I forsook never thee?’” (6). This miraculous event constitutes sainthood.


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Once Kempe’s “book” is analyzed more deeply, her heart of gold looks a bit tarnished. The extent of the truth in her biography is extremely questionable since she was personally recounting the information. In a world where women were suppressed and given orders, Kempe may have easily used Jesus as means to speak out against men. She knew the Bible well and could use her knowledge of Scripture to control and persuade. For example, she knew that she was supposed to experience devilish visions for her sinful lifestyle and was able to recount it. Her “experience” could have very well been made up to gain control over her life.


Since God was the supreme law, Kempe was able to use it to her advantage if He spoke to her. She was required to follow His orders, and if God asked her to do something, all mortals had to believe that He really asked her to. Men absolutely had to believe what she recounted. They would not want to take a chance and go against God. By believing what Kempe said, they let the potential lie sit on her shoulders, while they felt they were in the clear.


In her “book,” Kempe prophesized her husband’s death. This was thought to be unholy. It was a tactic to scare her husband into doing just about anything . If he did not obey, he would suffer an excruciating death. “Now, good sir, amend you and ask God mercy, for I told you near three year sithen that ye should be slain suddenly, and now is the third year, and yet I hope I shall have my desire” (70). Her wishes for the painful death of her husband were not exactly saint-like. It was extremely clever, though. She scared him into doing exactly what she wanted.


She also took a stand with the Archbishop. A woman making such a bold move was unheard of. The Archbishop told Kempe not to teach or challenge the people of the diocese and she replied by saying, “nay, sir” (7). Women were supposed to be silent, and if they did speak out, none would ever say “no” to a man. By doing so, she was demonstrating the power she had gained by being so clever.


Margery Kempe paved the way for independent women to come. It is hard to positively determine if Kempe was truly a saint, or merely a clever woman. They only documents we have of her life are those that she personally recounted. It is very tempting to say that both are the same. To women everywhere, heroines like Kempe are viewed as saints. She went against the norm in the same way all saints have. She acted on her feelings even when it required clever deceit. Her beliefs took precedence in her life, and for that, many view her as a saint.





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