Book 2: Chapters 3-6
THE BOOK OF MARGERY KEMPE
Chapter 3
The narrative begins with the character referred to as "the said creature" and her companions boarding a ship on a Thursday during Passion Week.
They experience favorable winds and weather on Thursday and Friday; however, on Saturday and Palm Sunday, severe storms threaten their lives.
The storms are so intense that the crew believes they might perish at sea.
In despair, the characters turn to God for guidance, relinquishing their navigation skills and asking for divine help.
The creature expresses her deep sorrow and care, feeling tested by God, she reflects on His past promises of protection and worries that her enemies’ curses may lead to her destruction.
She invokes God's mercy, remembering His numerous promises that she should never perish.
The creature pleads for God's intervention to alleviate the peril they face, fearing that without divine assistance their suffering will soon lead to despair.
In her turmoil, she hears a voice from God, chastising her for her fear, reminding her of the promises made, and urging her to trust in His mercy.
God reassures her of His omnipotence, asserting that He is as powerful at sea as on land, and she should not doubt His support.
The conversation continues with further comfort from God, emphasizing the importance of maintaining faith.
Eventually, a divine confirmation from the Virgin Mary reassures her that the storms will cease, urging her not to fear any longer.
The storm subsides and they land on the Norwegian coast on Good Friday.
They remain there through Easter, attending communion on board the ship and participating in church services on Easter day.
The creature feels a profound spiritual presence throughout her journey, whether on land, at sea, or on the ship.
After communion on Easter Monday, God sends favorable winds that enable them to return to Germany.
The ship's master demonstrates great kindness towards the creature, providing her with food, drink, and clothing, which helps her withstand the cold at sea.
Her successful endurance on the ship is attributed to her faith and obedience to God.
Chapter 4
The creature stays in Danzig, Germany for five to six weeks, being warmly received by many for God’s love.
Notably, her daughter-in-law is against her and fails to offer support.
The creature expresses joy in receiving kindness, yet she feels commanded by God to leave Danzig, leading to great inner turmoil as she considers her next steps.
She desires to avoid sea travel due to her previous traumatic experience but feels it dangerous to travel by land due to ongoing war.
In her prayerful distress, seeking divine guidance, a stranger offers to accompany her to Wilsnack, a place renowned for venerating the precious blood of Christ from three miraculous Hosts.
She agrees to the pilgrimage, provided she has trustworthy companions.
A former companion named John, however, abandons her, prioritizing material wealth over compassion and failing to fulfill his promise of company.
The creature laments John's departure, expressing that she would prefer his companionship to any monetary gain.
Facing loneliness, she is approached by hostile local priests who insult her and make indecent proposals.
Overcome with fear for her chastity, she requests that two maids of the household stay with her for protection.
Despite being granted company for the night, she remains too anxious to sleep.
She spends the night praying for continued protection and the arrival of more respectable companions.
In a spiritual command, she feels called to attend church the next morning to find companionship for her journey.
Investigating her intuition, she discovers a group of poor travelers heading to Aachen, seeking to join them.
When she is accepted into their company, she must adapt to their lifestyle, which includes begging for food while she herself lacks the courage to relinquish her clothes like the others do.
This leads her to suffer from infestations of vermin, enduring much discomfort during the journey until they reach Aachen.
Her commitment to the pilgrimage is tested through trials of discomfort, and she struggles to keep pace with the more vigorous members of her group.
Chapter 5
Upon reaching a hostelry far from towns on Corpus Christi Eve, they find only straw for bedding, and she spends the night there recovering from her illness.
Rain and thunder impede their travel, giving her unexpected relief as her male companion's impatience is thwarted.
Despite his disregard, she is able to continue on her pilgrimage and is carried to the Holy Blood of Wilsnack with the help of a wagon due to her illness.
Local women express their sympathy for her plight, admonishing the man for his treatment of her, but he shows no consideration for their comments.
Ultimately, she reaches Wilsnack, where she witnesses the miraculous blood of Christ exhibited in the sacrament of the altar.
Chapter 6
Their stay at Wilsnack is brief, leading them on towards Aachen again by wagon.
They encounter a river filled with travelers, including a monk and merchants, who are familiar with her guide.
The group shares a thirst and asks her to fetch wine from the friars' house, but she declines due to their gender-based presence, preferring to maintain her modesty.
A merchant goes instead and returns with wine while the friars invite the group to view the blessed sacrament, which is especially venerated during this period.
Eager to see the sacrament, the creature discreetly follows them, horrified at her emotional outpouring upon witnessing it.
Her weeping is met with disdain from her companions, who accuse her of being hypocritical and insist she no longer travel with them.
She attempts to justify her actions through scriptural references, yet this only further incites their anger and results in her being kicked out of the group.
Despite her pleas, they insist on abandoning her, leaving her alone and vulnerable in unfamiliar territory.