Hildegard von Bingen
Abbess
of Disibodenburg
(1098-1179)
At age eight, she was dedicated to God as an anchorite at the monastery
of Disibodenburg in Germany. Despite being confined to her tiny cell, she
displayed precocious spiritual and intellectual gifts in reading, writing,
music, and Latin, to such an extent that by the time she was in her teens,
other monastics were clamoring to study with her. Elected abbess of her
convent, Hildegard wielded as much earthly power as many a secular ruler.
She pursued a remarkable career as administrator, herbalist, mystic,
composer, and playwright, always stressing God's goodness and mercy. By the
end of her long life she was famed far beyond her convent walls, advising
(and sometimes chastising) popes, princes, and potentates. Both her music
and her writings are enjoying renewed popularity today.
u13. Which woman was
elected "king" of her country and gave up her childhood sweetheart to
marry the last pagan ruler in Europe?
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