Literature and Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage is a key theme in the literature of the West, and I am not going to  examine any of it in detail, but there are immense and rich resources online for anyone interested in the subject. The discussion below is limited to a handful of works by English writers, works that have been central in development of the literary tradition.

Two of the great works of early literature in English, Piers Plowman and The Canterbury Tales both have direct linkages to pilgimage. Copies of both texts can be obtained by following the links above. In addition to the text of Piers Plowman a site in Charlottesville has other resources about the early work. Likewise, The Canterbury Tales website is but one of a number where the text, in old and modern English versions can be consulted and read.

A little later but crucial in the formation of Protestant thought in England and English-speaking areas is John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. Bunyan's work was particularly influential in the development of American theologies. Like most influential works long out of copyright, Pilgrims's Progress is available in various electronic formats at several other websites.

Pilgrimage is an important topic in Shakespeare and various other early writers. A first-rate book on the subject is available from Cambridge University Press.