A Canterbury Pilgrimage

Elizabeth Robins Pennell's A Canterbury Pilgrimage captures a delightful Victorian journey inspired by Chaucer's literary masterpiece. In the summer of 1885, Elizabeth and her husband Joseph embarked on an unconventional pilgrimage from London to Canterbury—not by rail like modern travelers, but by tricycle, retracing the ancient route of Chaucer's famous band of pilgrims. This charming travel narrative blends adventure, literary homage, and social commentary as the Pennells pedal through the English countryside, stopping at the same historic locations mentioned in The Canterbury Tales. Their witty observations capture the customs and character of Victorian England while honoring the medieval pilgrimage tradition that inspired their journey. Rich with vivid descriptions of Kent's landscape and thoughtful reflections on travel, the work offers both entertainment and cultural insight into how the same roads transformed across centuries. Originally illustrated by Joseph Pennell, this narrative preserves the spirit of leisure travel and literary devotion that defined the era. It's ideal for fans of classic travel writing, Chaucer enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates intelligent, humorous accounts of journeys undertaken with curiosity and reverence. Whether you're interested in Victorian-era cycling adventures or want to experience a pilgrimage reborn through a modern nineteenth-century lens, this audiobook delivers an engaging escape into literary history.