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Meg Roland
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Former English professor at Marylhurst University for 16 years, then Concordia University. I taught writing, medieval literature, humanities, maps and literature, and history of the book. After five years as a Dean of arts and humanities at Linn-Benton Community College, I am now a writer and an instructor at Willamette University – Pacific Northwest College of Art.
Archives
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Recent Posts
- The DIY Italy Prize! July 28, 2026
- Signs along the way: Via Francigena July 24, 2026
- To Lift the Spirit: Churches and Flowers of Latera July 14, 2026
- In an Italian newspaper (Lazio Courier, June 25, 2026): “USA Writer Captivated by Small Village” July 2, 2026
- Latera and Art: Transforming a 12th century village into a contemporary open-air art museum June 26, 2026
Tag Archives: Le Morte Darthur
The DIY Italy Prize!
On a morning run in Latera, past vineyards and fields of hazelnuts and olive trees, I suddenly realized, I “won” my own DIY “Italy Prize.” Self-created and self-conferred! You may have heard of the prestigious Rome Prize. Each year, the American Academy … Continue reading
Signs along the way: Via Francigena
Walking country roads and forest paths meant that the usual phone map would not be suitable for our trek. With the relevant pages of a guide book torn out and tucked in my backpack and with the All Trails app … Continue reading
To Lift the Spirit: Churches and Flowers of Latera
What are the structures or practices that lift everyday life with a sense of spirituality, beauty, or hope? In Latera, there are both historic and contemporary options: churches and flowers. Latera is a town dedicated to public art but in terms … Continue reading
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Tagged La Casa Etruria, Latera, Le Morte Darthur, Thomas Malory, Via Francigena
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Latera: persone gentili (kind people)
Traveling often focuses on sights to see, restaurants to sample, and negotiating crowds. Staying in Latera for two weeks, however, gave us a chance to get to know a few of the 770 people who call the quiet town of … Continue reading
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Tagged Dante, La Casa Etruria, Latera, Lazio, Le Morte Darthur, passionate geography, Roman War, Thomas Malory, travel memoir, Via Francigena
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Via Francigena Day 5: La Storta to Rome (19.2 km, but about 15 km for us)
[Reader, if you are just joining this journey, click on the “About” tab for context. The chronological posts begin in January 2026.] May 13, 2026 (Wednesday). Pilgrimage. Chaucer began his famed Canterbury Tales with the fictional, genial tavern keeper, Harry Bailly, announcing … Continue reading
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Tagged Le Morte Darthur, passionate geography, Roman War, roman-britain, Thomas Malory, travel memoir, Via Francigena, walking
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Via Francigena: Day 4 Campagnano to La Storta (24 km)
May 12, 2026 (Tuesday). Primavera/ Regeneration Oh glorious new day and the regeneration of both sleep and springtime! Paul worked on my back and we have new energy for the day and walk ahead. Notice that the map of Campagnano … Continue reading
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Tagged Le Morte Darthur, passionate geography, Roman War, roman-britain, Thomas Malory, travel memoir, Via Francigena, walking
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Via Francigena, Day 3: Sutri to Campagnano di Roma Officially 28-31 km, but we walked about 18km (11 mi)
May 11, 2026 (Monday). Hubris. We woke from a night’s rest after our long, rainy walk yesterday stiff and achey. We both exercise daily, but we did little or nothing to prepare for this walk. And this morning–we feel it. … Continue reading
Via Francigena – Day 1: Viterbo to Vetralla, 23 km (14.5 miles)
May 9, 2026 (Saturday). We leave Viterbo under sunny skies and with high spirits! We start on the Viccolo dei Pelligrini, the traditional route out of Viterbo to Rome, and are outside the city walls in just a short time. … Continue reading
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Tagged Le Morte Darthur, passionate geography, Thomas Malory, Via Francigena
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Pre-walk: a day to get our bearings in Viterbo
The presence and imagery of pilgrims, “pelligrini” in Italian, along the towns of the Via Francigena is centuries old, as the reproductions of medieval pilgrims, above, represent. Viterbo has a sizable medieval quarter, an astonishing and beguiling portal to another … Continue reading
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Tagged Le Morte Darthur, passionate geography, Roman War, Thomas Malory, Via Francigena
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Walking the Via Francigena! An interlude
Friends–I’m interrupting this narrative journey to walk a part of the Via Francigena, from the amazing medieval city of Viterbo (the largest intact medieval quarter in Italy) to Rome! When done, I’ll post a daily capture of the journey.
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Tagged Le Morte Darthur, passionate geography, Roman War, Thomas Malory, Via Francigena
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