With Georgina Protheroe Beynon

Margaret of Cortona was born, a farmers daughter in Laviano, Tuscany. Bereaved of her Mother at the age of seven, and spoiled by her Father she was wayward and ravishingly beautiful. She went into keeping with a young nobleman of Montepulciano. For nine years they lived together. Margaret was happy, and her lover was kind. Their son was born, separated only by social degree from legitimacy. In 1274 her world fell apart. She found her lover’s worm-ridden body, tipped into a shallow grave by a rival faction.

Wracked with sorrow, Margaret wondered what state her lover’s soul might be like if his body was so corrupt. She left Montepulciano with her son, determined to live a better life. Refused a home by her father, she cut her hair short as a penitent, knelt at the door of the church with a rope around her neck, and asked all the congregation to forgive the scandal she had given. Eventually she was given sanctuary by the Friars Minor in Cortona, where she brought up her son.

It was hard to settle for a celibate life when her blood ran hot and sweet. She truly repented her lapses, and in a passion of remorse attempted self-mutilation, dissuaded only by Friar Giunta, who later became her confessor and biographer. Margaret immersed herself in work. She became a nurse for the elderly infirm, finally proving worthy to be a Franciscan tertiary. She found great comfort in prayer and spent hours just listening to hear God speak in her life. She gathered a group about her to share the task naming them the " Le Poverelles." To support their work, she formed the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mercy to enable those with money, but no time, to do good by supporting her vital work.

Because Margaret allowed the love of Christ to disrupt and transform her life we remember her sacrifices and her care for the invisible of society. In 1288 she removed to the ruined church of St. Basil above the city, restoring it in her last years. She died at the age of fifty, on 22nd February, 1297. Her incorrupt body can be seen today. Pope Benedict XIII canonised her in 1728.In Laviano you will find the Church of the Repentance: it was built in in her memory in 1700 beside the centuries-old oak tree, where Margaret found her lover's body.

THE RECIPE:
As a nurse, Margaret will have known the importance of good nutrition. Try some buttermilk pancakes this month. They are quick and can be served with all sorts of delicious extras both frugal and luxurious.
First burnish your non-stick pan or "Girdle" iron with a drop of oil. Set it to warm-up over a low heat.
Sieve together 125gr/40z plain flour and the same of self raising flour, plus a level teasp of bicarbonate of soda.
Mix 2 medium eggs, a tablesp. of golden syrup, 2 tablesp. oil and a carton of buttermilk.
Mix in the flour stirring the batter, not beating the poor thing.
Cook in small ladlefuls, turning them over when bubbles cover the surface.
Keep warm in a cloth and serve as soon as possible
If you want to serve them with chopped hard-boiled egg and some lumpfish caviar, or with gravadlax, leave out the syrup. Make ‘em small and call them "Faux blinis."
On the other hand if you choose the sweet option, lemon and butter or maple syrup, whipped cream with a lick of Grand Marnier, or the last of the mincemeat gently heated with a dollop of brandy butter on the side have seduced the palates of even the pickiest octogenarian.