Jonathan Sumption brings alive the traditions of pilgrimage prevalent in Europe from the beginning of Christianity to the end of the 15th century. Vividly describing such major destinations as Jerusalem, Rome, Santiago de Compostella and Canterbury, he examines both majory figures - popes, kings, queens, scholars, villains - and the common folk of their day. With great sympathy he evokes their achievements and failures, and addresses the question of what motivated such extraordinary quests.