 Pilgrimages are journeys with the intention to visit a
sacred place or in search of spirituality.
When did they begin?
Pilgrimages began a little before the Renaissance period.
Cathedrals were being built all around Europe as the
Roman Catholic Church expanded, as well as other
religions. People began to worship saints and shrines
because they thought that the holiness was to “rub off
on them”.
 Pilgrimages were happening all
over Europe. People were curious
and wanted to explore. Crusades
were forms of pilgrimages as well,
which the pope encouraged in
exchange for forgiveness,
holiness, etc. Others were just
looking to be cured from an
illness and spiritual need. Many
of them wanted to be forgiven of
their sins, and hoped that by
going to these holy places, they
would be granted an entrance to
heaven.
 The journey that a pilgrimage required wasn’t an easy one. It took a
long time to get to your destined place and required physical
strength. The paths weren't so great either. Rest stops at monasteries
or hostels were common among the pilgrims. Many took the roads
used for caravans, but they were quite dangerous. Some dangers
included thefts and violence. Because of this, pilgrimages began to
travel in larger parties. This decreased the chance of assaults and any
other dangers. Historians know these kinds of situations happened
because people would write them down along the journey. For
example, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
 Pilgrimages not only
affected religion, but it
spread cultures, language,
and ideas. It increased
communication since
people from different places
came together to worship a
shrine. It increased travel
since people went in
groups, which it became
very common among
Europe. It helped to spread
the knowledge of others
quicker and faster. Besides
that, this lead to more
cathedrals and churches.
 One of the most common shrines that many traveled to
was the tomb of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. It
was said that Thomas Becket’s blood was on a piece of cloth
and if they touched it, it would cure certain diseases.
 Another one was at Walsingham, where supposedly the
Virgin’s Mary milk was contained in a jar.
 Many people had to pay to view the relics they so desired to
see.
 Chaucer, Geoffrey “The Canterbury Tales” Penguin
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Classics, 2003
Dowley, Tim. “The History of Christianity” Fortress
Press, 2002
Internet Medieval Sourcebook IMS 22 January 2004
<http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/sbook1k.html>
McMillan, Peter. “Pilgrimage”. Spartacus Educational.
January 29, 2013.
“Pilgrimage”. Medieval Life and Times. January 29, 2013.
http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medievalreligion/pilgrimage.htm
“Why Pilgrimage?”.The Shrine of Our Lady of
Walsingham.Walsingham, Norfolk. January 29, 2013.
http://www.walsinghamanglican.org.uk/the_shrine/w
hy_pilgrimage.htm