Consider This from NPR Episode: Bonus Episode: "Margery," the Medieval Memoirist
Release Date: February 9, 2025

Introduction to Margery Kemp

In this special bonus episode of NPR's Consider This, host Scott Detrow introduces a captivating exploration into the life of Margery Kemp, a medieval woman whose personal memoir offers a rare glimpse into the past. Produced by Berlin-based Sara Zahra Hushiori, this episode delves into the discovery of Margery's original writings and contrasts them with historical accounts penned by a contemporary monk.

The Hypothetical Phone Call to the Past

Sara Zahra Hushiori sets the stage by imagining a scenario where one could call the past to speak directly with Margery Kemp:

“The person you are trying to reach has been unavailable for over 500 years. Please leave a message after the tone.”
[07:XX]

This imaginative premise serves as the foundation for exploring Margery's life beyond the limited historical records.

Margery Kemp's Life and the Monk’s Treatise

Margery Kemp was a devout Christian woman living in the small English village of King's Lynn during the Middle Ages. A monk named Vinkindeward republished portions of her work in A Short Treatise of Contemplation, portraying her as:

“A very quiet person, a good Christian woman who worships Jesus on her own terms and a good wife, a good mother, a calm listener.”
[03:20]

This characterization aligns with the common medieval practice of documenting the lives of women primarily through the lens of their piety and familial roles.

Discovery of Margery’s Original Autobiography

The narrative takes a fascinating turn with the discovery of Margery's original autobiography, unearthed in the 1930s during an ordinary ping pong match:

“He found something else. A book. It looked old, like really, really old, and it was full of notes.”
[05:10]

This autobiography, meticulously written with the help of scribes, reveals a starkly different portrayal of Margery, showcasing her as a multifaceted individual with personal struggles and desires that the monk's account had omitted.

Contrasting Narratives: The Monk vs. Margery

Margery's autobiography presents a vibrant contrast to the monk’s subdued portrayal:

• Personal Struggles:

  “She writes about what is arguably the first English account of postpartum depression. Hers was cured by Jesus.”
  [06:30]

• Desires and Emotions:

  “She writes about her sexual desires not just towards her husband, but also towards other people and towards Jesus.”
  [07:15]

• Social Challenges:

  “She cries at every occasion, which gets her excluded from all kinds of social gatherings and in some cases even banned from church services.”
  [07:45]

These revelations depict Margery as a complex individual, challenging the simplistic and sanitized image crafted by the monk.

Insights into Medieval Historical Documentation

Sara reflects on the implications of this discovery for our understanding of history:

“History isn't this thing that we get to document if we only look close enough. It's always just a selection.”
[08:10]

The episode underscores the selective nature of historical records, often shaped by the perspectives and biases of those who documented them. Margery’s autobiography serves as a poignant reminder of the untold stories that lie beyond the official accounts.

Conclusion: Celebrating Margery’s Authentic Voice

Margery Kemp’s autobiography is celebrated as potentially the first English autobiography written by a woman, highlighting her bravery in documenting her life in detail:

“Her book means a lot to me. I think it's really cool and super brave that you decided to write everything down in so much detail.”
[08:40]

Sara expresses joy in Margery’s authentic voice, which not only enriches historical understanding but also inspires the imagination regarding the myriad of other stories that remain undocumented.

This episode of Consider This masterfully intertwines historical discovery with imaginative storytelling, offering listeners a nuanced view of Margery Kemp’s life and the broader implications for historical narratives.