The Pilgrim's Prize project is graciously funded by the University of Edinburgh School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Student-Led Initiative Fund. It was conceived by Jessica Legacy and Christina Neuwirth and inspired by the work of Hank Green and Bernie Su and the "Pemberley Digital" projects, such as The Lizzie Bennett Diaries and Emma Approved. 

Pilgrim's Prize is a modernization and adaptation of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales told through online media. We invite readers to share, comment, and interact with the tales in order to explore the ways of experiencing these classic stories. We also encourage educators to use Pilgrim's Prize in order to explore the themes, ideas, and hypertextual nature of the Tales.

Our Creators

Jessica Legacy

During her undergraduate degree at Vancouver Island University Jessica wrote a concluding chapter to the Canterbury Tales in iambic pentameter for her final project in medieval studies. Continuing with her Master of Arts at the University of Alberta, Jessica focused on the courting language prevalent in medieval hunting and alchemical texts. Her thesis took the shape of an allegorical novella that narrated the alchemical process through a tale involving traditional medieval hunting practices. Now in her PhD at the University of of Edinburgh, Jessica is researching medieval medicine and the soul. However, she can’t let go of her love for creative writing and the Canterbury Tales, and this is her extra special project.

Christina Neuwirth

Christina Neuwirth is from Austria but she lives in Edinburgh. She is 24 years old and has a Masters degree in Creative Writing. Her undergraduate thesis was on Virginia Woolf, and she hopes to one day be able to pull off that same kind of stream-of-consciousness swagger. She is a writer, producer, receptionist, website manager and project officer. Her favourite day of the week is Saturday.

Pat Hughes

Patrick Hughes is a recent graduate of Boston College. During his undergraduate career he pursued a dual degree in studio art and biology. His priority, hovever, was most certainly creative practice; he's focused on drawing and digital art, taking any opportunity to further his skills and experience. He was heavily involved on campus, doing everything from graphic design and event promotions, to illustrations for book reviews, to a weekly comic strip published in The Heights newspaper. A full copy of his resume can be obtained any time upon request (through his website).
 
He currently attending the University of Edinburgh during the 2014-2015 academic year, pursuing a master's degree in illustration.

Marianne MacRae

Marianne is a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh, studying Creative Writing, specialising in poetry and talking animals (if you know a good translator, please get in touch!) She is one half of sketch duo Me3 Comedy, coming to an Edinburgh Fringe near you this summer.

Paul McFadyen

Paul McFadyen is a PhD student at the University of Dundee with a specialist interest in gender issues, particularly masculinities and the male body, in the High Middle Ages. He has had pieces of micro fiction and poetry published in literary journals in the past and is keen to bring together his research in Medieval culture with contemporary creative endeavours.

Rachel Shapiro

Rachel Shapiro holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She’s currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Creative Writing at the University of Edinburgh. Previously, Rachel was an editor of her undergraduate university’s literary magazine, and she also worked as an intern at an online literary magazine.

Dan Stathers

Dan is a stay at home scholar enrolled on The University of Edinburgh’s MSc in Creative Writing by Online Learning. Prior to that, he studied creative writing at The Open University. He once played ‘the Hag’ in a school production of The Wife of Bath’s Tale. His poetry has been let loose by various publications and rumour has him floating somewhere in SoundCloud. He is a keen walker of fields along with his sidekick, Dudley the Border Terrier. He’s also best friends with Mike Priest.