Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Thursday, 30 April 2026

A Marian Pilgrimage in May


Tomorrow is May Day and the beginning of Mary’s Month.

As I have done since 2020 I am going to post the itinerary day by day of a virtual Pilgrimage around the Marian shrines of medieval England, together with something of their  history.

Rather than write out again the background to this pilgrim journey I will link to my introduction to last year’s peregrination, which can be seen at May Marian Pilgrimage

I am also reposting the equivalent article from the previous year which gives more about the origins of this convoluted route and the historical evidence behind it. That can be seen at May Marian Pilgrimage

The daily posts will include the consolidated posts and links as I published them last year, together with any additional facts or reflections, plus one new addition to the itinerary. 

As I write each year I always intend to rewrite the posts, but never seem to find the time to consolidate them. However their existing discursive style is very much how I speak when with friends, so you will get a flavour of my own verbal presentation as we ramble in spirit through the landscape and along the roads of later medieval England. Whether we are like Chaucer’s fellow pilgrims to Canterbury in their variety and idiosyncrasy I will leave to readers to decide.

May Our Lady accompany us on this journey and ever assist us with her prayers. 

Jesu mercy Mary pray


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