Elizabeth Bergen
By Lauren Dolfi
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Spring 2007

Here I was, when I was six, in the Cathedral praying for the soul of my new brother who had just died. I was very sad, I really wanted a little brother to play with.

But now, I'm celebrating my thirteenth birthday. One of my dearest friends told me about an excursion that many children are taking soon. I am told it will be the most marvelous of all adventures. We will travel through the mountains to experience a different land, and to learn about different parts of Europe. I hope that my sisters will be able to cover my duties at home for the time while I am gone. I am responsible for many different house duties. My mother prepares meals for our family, while my sister is in charge of keeping the house tidy. My mother is in the process of teaching me how to use the spinning wheel. It is somewhat challenging, but I will be able to assist far more in household chores when I am well trained. The friar told my parents that the trip will take a substantial amount of time, about three months. All of the children are very excited to go. We leave for tomorrow.

For Reflection:
How far is it mile wise, from Hamelin to the western coast of France, where the children would board a boat to go down to Italy? There are mountains to cross as well. How fast would the children need to walk to make it in three months?

Can you look up the pilgrimages that people made in the Middle Ages? Where did the people go, to what shrines, and why? How long did it take people to walk say from London, to the most famous shrine in Spain?

There are a number of young adult novels that have pilgrimages in them. The Ramsey Scallop is one of the, by Rosemary Sutcliffe.

Can you write a story of Elizabeths journey over the mountains in France?

Can you write a series of letters from Elizabeth to her family while she is away? Or perhaps, Elizabeth keeps a journal or diary while she is traveling. Can you write the diary?