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Mealtime sanctity: The devotional and social significance of mealtimes in the Book of Margery Kempe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article argues that mealtimes in The Book of Margery Kempe establish Margery's orthodoxy and demonstrate her sanctity. Mealtimes provide Margery with a sufficiently flexible boundary between private and public for her to express her devotion and reach out to people without incriminating herself as a heretic. Medieval mealtimes, symbolizing community and hierarchy, enable Margery to express her sanctity and be accepted by respected figures. As a result, mealtimes allow Margery's ministry to succeed at a time of religious dissent.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)61-80
Number of pages20
JournalParergon
Volume36
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies. All rights reserved.

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