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Religious mystics Margery of Kempe and Julian of Norwich lived in close proximity to one another in time and place, yet the lives of these two medieval women couldn’t have been more different. One traveled the world in relentless pursuit of spiritual validation, while the other withdrew into a walled cell. One boldly proclaimed her visions of Christ while the other recorded quiet revelations. One authored the first autobiography in English while the other penned the first known book in English by a woman. But here’s where it gets truly fascinating: these two women actually met—a fateful encounter depicted in guest Victoria MacKenzie’s award-winning debut novel, For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy on My Little Pain. Join us as we discuss these two incredible women whose accounts of divine encounters were destined for rediscovery centuries after being lost to time.

Mentioned in this episode

The British Library’s exhibit: Medieval Women: In Their Own Words

Highgate Cemetery

For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy on My Little Pain by Victoria MacKenzie

The Book of Margery Kempe

Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich

Bridget of Sweden

Lost Ladies of Lit podcast Episode No. 164 on Christine de Pizan

Lost Ladies of Lit podcast Episode No. 34 on Anna Komnene

Lost Ladies of Lit podcast Episode No. 70 on Julian Berners

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