This post is part of our Research Initiation Scheme for 2020-2021.
What does the autobiography of a medieval mystic and Twitter have in common? On the 23rd of April, Dr Alicia Spencer-Hall gave a fascinating presentation during which she suggested that Margery Kempe, a 15th century English Christian mystic and author of the first autobiography written in the English language, would be big on Twitter were she alive today.
However, it appears that being alive is not a criterion for having Twitter account, as Dr Spencer-Hall analysed 4 of the 15 Margery Kempe Twitter accounts which have sprung up to speak for the mystic in 2021. These Twitter accounts tell Margery’s story in different ways. Dr Spencer-Hall used her presentation to examine these accounts and how they are used to reinterpret and reclaim the life of a woman who lived nearly 600 years ago.
Providing some context about the mystic, Dr Spencer-Hall explained that Margery Kempe relied on a number of scribes to write her book. Because of this, the book, which presents Margery in an overwhelmingly positive light and uses the 3rd person to address her, has raised questions about its authenticity. Dr Spencer-Hall suggests there are similarities between Margery’s autobiography and Twitter today: both present highly edited and at times inauthentic reflections of self.
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