Victoria MacKenzie: Medieval Mystics and the Genesis of Women’s Writing

In the year of 1413, two women: Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe meet for the first time. Before they part, Julian will entrust Margery with a secret – one that will change the course of history.

Victoria MacKenzie joins us at Tidelines to read from her award-winning novel For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain. This beautiful novel explores the real lives of two medieval mystics, Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe, who wrote the earliest known books in English by women. Victoria will discuss her inspiration and writing process, as well as the importance of Julian and Margery, and suggest why the lives of medieval women are of such interest to us today. 

For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain won the First Book Award at Scotland’s National Book Awards in 2023 and was a book of the year in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Scotsman.

We are offering groups of five or more bookers a special price of £5 a ticket (select the ‘5 for £25’ option on the booking page) – perfect for bookclubs, philosophy groups and friends who love to read.