Hildegard was born in Germany on the eve of the 12th century, the 10th child of a noble family who dedicated her at birth to a religious life. At the age of only seven years, she was confined in a cell attached to a Benedictine monastery with a young woman recluse named Jutta, the daughter of a German count. It might not have seemed a very promising start for any child but Hildegard's remarkable intelligence and character blossomed under the tutelage of Jutta - leading to her becoming a composer and confidante of political leaders as well as a visionary prophet and author of books on herbal medicine.  

Jutta proved to be an ideal companion for the young Hildegard and nurtured her curiosity and intellectual abilities. The two became known across Germany and women flocked to visit them, some staying on until their reclusive life became less isolated - a nunnery was founded there and Jutta became abbess. In later years, Hildegard was to succeed her mentor as head of the religious community when Jutta died. By this time Hildegard's writing and her religious visions had attracted the attention of heads of state and the Pope himself. Her book 'Know the Ways of God' was said to have been read aloud by the Pope to his assembled cardinals and archbishops.  

Hildegard's writing however went beyond the conventionally religious - her interests ranged across the whole natural world and, although her early years had been spent in confinement, she was later to travel widely. Her unorthodox behaviour both in this and in her delight in sumptuous clothing(!) attracted both envy and recriminations from other religious communities but it reflected her boundless enthusiasm for life, beyond mere texts. Hildegard wrote extensively about the natural world - Physica - and a medicinal treatise - Causae et Curae (Causes and Cures).

The first book of Physica is about plant life and lore and includes herbal recipes no doubt used by the nuns in her community as elsewhere in Europe at the time. In Causae et Curae Hildegard discusses diseases of the body - from top to toe! - with a more detailed description of the cures. Although some of the suggestions are bizarre (using a lion's ear placed over the side of the head to cure deafness!) much of the plant lore was based on observed medicinal effects and in fact Hildegard's remedies form the basis for a thriving alternative medicine market in Germany today. 

This photograph shows the interior of the Hospital (Hotel-Dieu) in Beaune Western France, founded in 1443. Whilst not contemporary with Hildegard, it does illustrate a medieval hospital. This is taken inside the Great Hall or Poor Ward and shows a model of a nun tending the sick.

Hildegard lived to be eighty one years old, passing away peacefully on 17 September 1179, having forewarned the nuns of her impending death. Her works however have lived on, not only as mentioned above in terms of herbal medicine but in her musical compositions which have recently undergone a revived interest. The Early Music ensemble Sequentia are in the process of recording all Hildegard's compositions on 8 CDs and other New Age style recordings can also be found. 

For more detailed information about Hildegard's life and work, read the excellent book by Sabina Flanagan Hildegard of Bingen - a visionary life.