That change sank into my heart’s root: Voices of Mental Distress in Medieval Literature

In a time of developing an understanding of mental health, entwined within the web of religious and social paradigms, the voices of Kempe and Hoccleve are powerful witnesses to the relationship between mental illness and literature. This thesis aims to clarify how their stories serve as windows, providing moving insights into the real-life experiences of people coping with mental illnesses in medieval England, through a critical analysis of their literary works.