Amid the tumult of the High Middle Ages, many Christians journeyed to the Holy Land, as well as local shrines. Margery Kempe was a notable pilgrim, or at least noticed by others. Consider the following excerpt from her autobiography (The Book of Margery Kempe, translated by Tony D. Triggs, Liguori, MO: Triumph Books, 1995):

"I had to stay there (Calais) for three or four days awaiting a ship, and during this time I met a number of old acquaintances...I wanted to sail to Dover with them but they wouldn't lift a finger to help me and they wouldn't tell me which ship they were using...by various means, I managed to keep abreast of their plans. I went on board with all my baggage...they suddenly changed to a different ship...I knew they were planning to sail in a hurry, so I left all my things in the boat I was in and with the help of our Lord I was able to get a place on board their new ship...I could tell the others didn't like me. When we reached Dover, I wasn't able to get a companion to lighten my journey. I therefore struck out for Canterbury by myself."

Proverbs 31:10-31

A good wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life. 
She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant,
she brings her food from afar. 
She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household and tasks for her maidens. 
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. 
She girds her loins with strength
and makes her arms strong. 
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. 
Her lamp does not go out at night. 
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor,
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes herself coverings;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers girdles to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household,
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 
Give her the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
(From Bibliaclerus)