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Margery Kempe at Bristol
Bristol was one of England's most important
ports, serving, among other destinations, travelers to Spain. Kempe
had just returned from Jerusalem and Rome in summer of 1416, staying for
some time in Norwich. Her husband travelled to Norwich and both returned
to home to Lynn. She was sick during that winter and in debt but
she still resolved to go on a pilgrimage to Santiago (Ch. 44). July
through early August, 1417, Kempe was in Bristol, waiting for a ship to
take her Santiago, and it was there she described the Corpus Christi procession
in the town. She was summoned to appear before the Bishop of Worcester
who was staying at his residence near Bristol at Henbury, Gloucestershire.
He received her well, giving her lodging until the ship was ready.
He also gave her gold for her voyage. She arrived in Santiago after
a seven-day voyage, stayed there for two weeks, and then returned to Bristol.
After five days in Bristol she traveled north to the Cistercian Abbey of
Hailes, Gloucestershire, to see the relic of Christ's blood. There
she rebuked the monks for using many oaths, and they take the corrections
well (Ch. 45). |
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