The Canon Library
Cover of The Book of Margery Kempe

Medieval · Autobiography / mysticism

The Book of Margery Kempe

by Margery Kempe. A significant canonical or canon-expanding work by Margery Kempe, centered on pilgrimage, devotion, selfhood; added in the full 1,200-work edition for its sustained influence, representative importance, or role in revising the traditional canon.

Date
c. 1436–1438
Origin
England
Era
Medieval
Genre
Autobiography / mysticism
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
Medium
Collection
The Western Canon

Subjects and themes

Why it matters

A significant canonical or canon-expanding work by Margery Kempe, centered on pilgrimage, devotion, selfhood; added in the full 1,200-work edition for its sustained influence, representative importance, or role in revising the traditional canon.

This work is included in the collection on the basis of full-canon expansion: traditional, modern, revised, and genre canons. Its cataloged influence level is 4 out of 5.