MARGERY KEMPE
An Example in the English Pastoral Tradition


an excerpt

Martin Thornton


Authorized Reissue




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Preface

This is an ambitious little book: ambitious, not of course in any sense which suggests exceptional quality, but in that it is aimed at no less than four targets, none of which is too easy to hit.

I have tried, first and obviously, to interest the reader in The Book of Margery Kempe itself. Secondly, I have tried to be of some use in making that book more intelligible and more directly practical than it might otherwise be. Thirdly, I hope to play a small part in fostering greater interest in the English School of Spirituality to which Margery assuredly belongs. Fourthly, and perhaps most difficult of all, I have attempted to demonstrate the value—so misunderstood and unpopular—of ascetical, as opposed to devotional and mystical, interpretations of English spiritual classics.

If this book achieves any success in any of these aims, I think it will have added a small contribution to our present pastoral needs. I am quite sure of one thing: that the prayer, example, and patronage of Margery Kempe are powers which modern Anglicanism can ill afford to neglect. In this respect it has been heartening to discover so much concern for Margery Kempe, and for the English School, in the Episcopal Church of America. Amongst many others, I owe special thanks to Professor Norman Pittenger, Dr Dora Chaplin, and Fr Arthur Kelsey (all of the General Theological Seminary, New York) for their critical enthusiasm for this present book.

I am against indebted to the wisdom and co-operation of Miss Helen Bowers, to whom the book is gratefully dedicated.

M.T. (1960)

Forward to CHAPTER 1


© Akenside Press and Matthew C. Dallman, 2016. Reissued with permission of Monica Thornton. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, Akenside Press.