Follow Blog via Email
Meg Roland

-
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
-
Recent Posts
- Via Francigena Day 5: La Storta to Rome (19.2 km, but about 15 km for us) May 26, 2026
- Via Francigena: Day 4 Campagnano to La Storta (24 km) May 23, 2026
- Via Francigena, Day 3: Sutri to Campagnano di Roma Officially 28-31 km, but we walked about 18km (11 mi) May 22, 2026
- Via Francigena, Day 2: Vetralla to Sutri, 24 km + an additional and unplanned 6 additional km (18 miles) May 21, 2026
- Via Francigena – Day 1: Viterbo to Vetralla, 23 km (14.5 miles) May 20, 2026
Tag Archives: Thomas Malory
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
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Le Morte Darthur, passionate geography, Roman War, roman-britain, Thomas Malory, travel memoir, Via Francigena, walking
2 Comments
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
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Le Morte Darthur, passionate geography, Thomas Malory, Via Francigena
Leave a comment
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
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Le Morte Darthur, passionate geography, Roman War, Thomas Malory, Via Francigena
Leave a comment
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.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Le Morte Darthur, passionate geography, Roman War, Thomas Malory, Via Francigena
2 Comments
Towards Sandewyche . . .
[Reader, if you are just joining this journey, click on the “About” tab for context. The chronological posts begin in January 2026.] Ryght so [Arthur] sought, and his knyghtes, towarde Sandewyche where he founde before hym many galyard [sturdy] knyghtes—for there … Continue reading
Go by Watlynge Strete
[Reader, if you are just joining this journey, click on the “About” tab for context. The chronological posts begin in January 2026.] Canterbury is in the general direction of Sandwich, and I couldn’t resist the minor detour. As a professor … Continue reading
Passe unto Sandwyche
[Reader, if you are just joining this journey, click on the “About” tab for context. The chronological posts begin in January 2026.] Meanwhile . . . while Arthur was in York taking counsel, the Roman ambassadors were hustling out of … Continue reading
Yorke II: “Constantine our kinsman”
[Reader, if you are just joining this journey, click on the “About” tab above for context. The chronological posts begin in January 2026.] ~ ~ ~ Constantine our kinsman conquered [Rome], and dame Helena’s son of England was Emperour of … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Constantine, King Arthur, Le Morte Darthur, Roman War episode, roman-britain, Thomas Malory, travel memoir, Via Francigena, york
6 Comments
Time in the Roman War: The Utas of Seynte Hillary
[Reader, if you are just joining this journey, click on the “About” tab for context. The chronological posts begin in January 2026.] Now leve we Sir Lucius and speke we of Kyng Arthure . . . Mikhail Bahktin refers to … Continue reading