In medieval literature, few figures stand out as boldly as Margery Kempe, a mystic and religious pilgrim whose spiritual autobiography, ‘The Book of Margery Kempe,’ remains a crucial text in English history. Her life raises many complex questions, particularly about her sexuality, spiritual devotion, and status as a wife and mother. One of the more intriguing inquiries that arise from her narrative is whether Margery Kempe can be considered a virgin in the religious or symbolic sense. This question is not merely about physicality but involves deeper spiritual and cultural meanings relevant to her era.
Understanding the Historical Context
To evaluate whether Margery was a virgin, it is essential to understand how virginity was interpreted during the Middle Ages. In medieval Christian doctrine, virginity held not only physical but also spiritual significance. A virgin was often seen as someone set apart for divine purposes, regardless of her physical experiences. Thus, while the literal definition involved the absence of sexual intercourse, the spiritual definition allowed for a broader understanding.
Marriage and Motherhood
Margery Kempe was married and bore at least fourteen children. According to her book, she engaged in sexual relations with her husband John Kempe for several years before deciding to pursue a chaste life. These facts clearly disqualify her from the traditional notion of physical virginity. However, her transition from a life of conjugal obligation to one of spiritual purity offers a unique perspective on her identity.
A Vow of Chastity
Later in her life, Margery Kempe made a vow of chastity with her husband’s reluctant agreement. This decision marks a pivotal point in her journey. It reflects her deepening religious conviction and her desire to dedicate herself entirely to God. The vow of chastity was a common practice among medieval mystics who sought spiritual closeness with the divine. For Margery, this commitment was more than abstention it symbolized rebirth into a life of holiness.
Spiritual Virginity
In medieval religious tradition, spiritual virginity was a revered concept. It allowed women who had lived conventional lives including marriage and childbirth to reclaim a form of purity through spiritual devotion. Many holy women were described as virgins of the heart, meaning that their souls were untouched by sin or worldly desires. Margery’s ecstatic visions, frequent weeping, and intense religious experiences placed her within this tradition. Her spiritual practices, including fasting, pilgrimage, and public preaching, underscore her dedication.
Margery’s Relationship with Christ
Throughout her autobiography, Margery describes her deeply intimate connection with Jesus Christ. She recounts visions where Christ appears to her in loving and affectionate ways. In one notable episode, she envisions a spiritual marriage to Jesus. This type of mystical union was not uncommon among female mystics and symbolized a profound level of spiritual intimacy.
These spiritual experiences, while intensely emotional, also signify her detachment from earthly relationships. Her marriage to Christ can be interpreted as a symbolic restoration of virginity, indicating that her body and soul now belonged entirely to the divine. The mystic tradition recognized such unions as the highest form of spiritual purity.
Reactions from Society
Margery’s lifestyle and declarations were controversial during her time. Many clergy and townspeople questioned her authenticity and criticized her behavior. Some accused her of heresy or insanity. Despite this, she consistently defended her religious experiences and maintained her commitment to chastity. Her boldness in claiming spiritual authority, especially as a woman, challenged prevailing norms.
The Role of Female Mystics
To fully understand the debate surrounding Margery’s virginity, it helps to place her within the broader context of female mysticism. Women like Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, and Catherine of Siena also embraced spiritual callings that emphasized purity, visions, and divine relationships. Many were virgins in the literal sense, but others, like Margery, claimed symbolic purity through divine union and penitent living.
In this framework, Margery’s life can be seen as a journey from worldly attachment to spiritual elevation. Her desire to live as a bride of Christ aligns with the values celebrated by the Church, even if her past life involved marriage and motherhood.
Interpretations by Scholars
Modern scholars have approached the question of Margery’s virginity from various angles. Some view her narrative as a feminist expression of autonomy, especially in her choice to live without sexual obligations. Others emphasize the spiritual dimension, arguing that her chastity vow represents a reclaiming of religious identity traditionally reserved for virgins.
Importantly, ‘The Book of Margery Kempe’ is often seen as an act of self-definition. Margery writes herself into a role of sanctity, offering her life story as a testament to God’s grace. Whether or not she fits the literal definition of a virgin, her self-perception and religious fervor suggest a symbolic alignment with the virgin saints of her tradition.
Legacy and Spiritual Significance
Margery Kempe’s story endures because it defies easy categorization. Her life embodies contradictions wife and mystic, mother and spiritual bride. She uses her experiences not as disqualifications but as building blocks toward spiritual refinement. Her insistence on divine communication and her resistance to social norms show a remarkable level of agency for a medieval woman.
Her symbolic virginity is not based on physical criteria but on her sincere transformation and union with the divine. In this sense, Margery can indeed be seen as a virgin not by biological standards, but through the lens of medieval spiritual identity.
Rethinking Virginity and Holiness
The question Is Margery a virgin? cannot be answered in purely physical terms. Instead, it opens a window into the complex religious and cultural frameworks of her time. Virginity, in the context of medieval spirituality, was less about the absence of physical relations and more about the presence of divine devotion.
Margery Kempe’s life illustrates this concept beautifully. Her transition from worldly life to spiritual mysticism, her vow of chastity, and her mystical marriage to Christ reflect a powerful reclaiming of purity and purpose. As such, she holds a unique place among Christian mystics not because of her physical history, but because of her unwavering spiritual commitment.