Handed down through history
Who was the woman behind the famous visions and writings? Join Hildegard von Bingen on her journey from cloister student to Doctor of the Church – in five chapters that bring together what has been handed down of her life.
1098
Childhood and cloister
Hildegard von Bingen was born the tenth child of the Bermersheim family, an old German noble house. At the age of eight she was handed over to Jutta von Sponheim at the Disibodenberg monastery for her upbringing; at sixteen she took her vows there as a Benedictine nun.
around 1141
The visionary
Even as a child Hildegard possessed the gift of “vision”. After a decisive vision she began dictating and recording her visions at the age of 43, supported by her former teacher, the monk Volmar.
After the Pope had confirmed her gift of prophecy, he officially encouraged her to continue writing her works.
1147 to 1170
The founder
After the death of Jutta von Sponheim, Hildegard was elected prioress in 1136 at the age of 38. Between 1147 and 1151 she left her home monastery on the Disibodenberg and founded the first monastery of her own on the Rupertsberg near the River Nahe; only a ruin of it remains today. Around 1165 she took over the Eibingen monastery above Rüdesheim.
From 1158 to 1161 Hildegard undertook the first of her preaching journeys, along the River Main to Bamberg. In 1161 she led her second journey via Trier to Lorraine, and from 1161 to 1163 her third down the Rhine to Cologne. The fourth followed in 1170, to Swabia – places such as Maulbronn, Hirsau and Zwiefalten were among them.
Endowed from a tender age with special heavenly gifts, Saint Hildegard wisely penetrated the mysteries of theology, medicine, music, and other arts, wrote numerous books about them, and brought to light the connection between redemption and creation.
We relate this quotation as a historical source. It describes Hildegard’s standing in the Church – it is not a statement about the effects of our products.
Handed down through history
The scholar
- around 1141 Scivias (“Know the Ways”) – The origin of creation and the salvation of the world.
- 1151–1158 Liber simplicis medicinae or Physica (“Natural History”) as well as Liber compositae medicinae or Causae et curae (“Medicine”).
- 1158–1163 Liber vitae meritorum – Man in responsibility.
- 1163–1173 Liber divinorum operum – The World and Man.
In addition to these works Hildegard left behind a great treasure of correspondence with significant contemporaries such as Bernard of Clairvaux and Frederick Barbarossa.
Handed down through history
The legacy
1178 to 1179
Towards the end of her life Hildegard buried an excommunicated nobleman; Mainz thereupon imposed an interdict upon her. She fought tenaciously for its lifting and succeeded after one year. On 17 September 1179 Hildegard passed away surrounded by her fellow sisters.
Since then she has been venerated as a folk saint. Her relics have rested in the monastery church in Eibingen since 1641.
Long after her death
2012
Officially, Hildegard von Bingen was given the title “Doctor of the Church” by the Pope and was canonised.
Hildegard von Bingen: Myth and Truth
The legend
The perception of her life is often shaped by myths and legends of the past centuries.
The state of research
Many details of her biography are still a subject of research. Scholarly research into her work is the mission of the “Museum am Strom” in Bingen; there you can experience Hildegard von Bingen at the historic site of her work.
Good to know
What has come down to us from Hildegard von Bingen is a historical source — not a medical statement. Our pages and products pass this tradition on; they are no substitute for medical advice.
From our Hildegard range
A selection from our range with a connection to Hildegard von Bingen.
