No sacred stone is left unturned

WITH scallop shells on their coats and hats, the mediaeval pilgrim travelled thousands of miles in search of truth and salvation.

The most celebrated of these odysseys is, of course, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. But whether it was paying homage at the tomb of Thomas Becket or a perilous expedition to the Holy Land, these wayfarers all had one thing in common.

Their quest was the ultimate manifestation of the mediaeval mind's longing for redemption - a kind of insurance scheme taken out on Earth in readiness for the hereafter.

This is a scholarly essay, thankfully avoiding the academic stodge that so often befalls this kind of work. No sacred stone is left unturned as the great journeys of the Middle Ages are recounted.

But if you are of the opinion that the era of the pilgrim has long since faded into history, think again. For the modern-day equivalent can be observed visiting shrines such as Shakespeare's Birthplace and the tombs of King John and Prince Arthur in Worcester Cathedral.

Other forms of mass pilgrimage include the increasing interest in battlefield visits. Indeed, far from being in decline, this kind of homage is actually on the increase.

To Be A Pilgrim is a well-rounded work and is to be thoroughly reco mended to those with an inquiring mind and a sharp eye for history.

John Phillpott