A Pilgrim's Deliberation

A unique fictionalized account provides insight into the motivations and experiences of Johaneta Aymara, a 15th-century brothel manager from Marseille who embarked on a pilgrimage to Le Puy-en-Velay—a key starting point for one of France's main routes to Santiago de Compostela. Drawing from historical records, including notarial inventories and municipal archives, the narrative reconstructs her journey, offering a glimpse into the lives of sex workers in medieval Europe and their participation in penitent pilgrimages. This approach combines historical documentation with speculative storytelling to explore the social and spiritual dimensions of pilgrimage during this period.

McDonough, S. (2024). A Pilgrim’s Deliberation. Portraits of Medieval Europe, 800–1400, 224–233. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003318972-22