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Hildegard of Bingen Timeline
(1098 - 1179)Hildegard of Bingen was a 12th-century German Benedictine abbess, mystic, composer, writer, and polymath. Renowned for her theological visions, musical compositions, scientific writings, and correspondence with popes and emperors, she became one of the most influential women of the Middle Ages and was declared a Doctor of the Church in 2012. More Less
Life and Religious Career
Birth of Hildegard of Bingen
1098
Hildegard of Bingen, later known as the 'Sibyl of the Rhine', was born around 1098. She would grow up to become a German Benedictine abbess and polymath, active during the High Middle Ages as a writer, composer, philosopher, mystic, visionary, and medical writer and practitioner.
Image source: Hildegard of Bingen
Jutta's enclosure with young Hildegard at Disibodenberg
1112
In 1112, when Hildegard was 14 years old, Jutta of Sponheim was enclosed as an anchoress at the monastery of Disibodenberg, with the young Hildegard joining her. Jutta would teach and mentor Hildegard in the religious life.
Image source: Jutta von Sponheim
Vows received by Bishop Otto of Bamberg
Nov 1112
On All Saints Day in 1112, the vows of the women enclosed with Jutta were received by Bishop Otto of Bamberg, formally committing them to the monastic life.
Image source: Otto of Bamberg
Election of Hildegard as magistra at Disibodenberg
1136
Upon Jutta's death in 1136, Hildegard was unanimously elected magistra (mother superior) of the community at Disibodenberg by her fellow nuns, taking on leadership of the convent.
Founding of Rupertsberg monastery
1150
In 1150, Hildegard founded the monastery of Rupertsberg near Bingen, moving her community toward independence. At Rupertsberg, Volmar served as provost, as well as Hildegard's confessor and scribe.
Image source: Hildegard of Bingen
Richardis elected abbess of a distant convent
1151
In 1151, Richardis, one of Hildegard's close associates, was elected abbess of a distant convent, much to Hildegard's displeasure. Their relationship is famously explored in later portrayals of Hildegard's life.
Public preaching throughout Germany
1160
Hildegard's preaching was not limited to monasteries; in 1160 she preached publicly throughout Germany, an unusual activity for a woman of her time that demonstrated her remarkable authority and influence.
Founding of Eibingen monastery
1165
In 1165, Hildegard founded a second monastery for her nuns at Eibingen, expanding her religious community across the Rhine from Rupertsberg.
Image source: St. Hildegard, Eibingen
Death of Volmar
1173
Volmar, who had served Hildegard as provost, confessor, and scribe at Rupertsberg, died in 1173. Following his death, Guibert of Gembloux, one of Hildegard's devoted followers who wrote to her frequently, became her secretary.
Conflict with clergy of Mainz over burial
1178 - 1179
Before Hildegard died in 1179, a problem arose with the clergy of Mainz: a man buried at Rupertsberg had died after being excommunicated by the Catholic Church, leading the authorities to demand his removal from consecrated ground, a dispute that troubled Hildegard's final years.
Key Facts
- Hildegard was born in 1098 in Bermersheim, Germany, and at age 8 she was placed under the care of Jutta of Sponheim at the Disibodenberg monastery.
- In 1136, after Jutta's death, Hildegard became magistra of the community, and in 1150 she founded her own convent at Rupertsberg near Bingen.
- Her major work 'Scivias' (1141-1151) recorded 26 religious visions, which were approved by Pope Eugenius III at the Synod of Trier in 1148.
- She composed some of the most remarkable sacred music of the Middle Ages, including the 'Symphonia armoniae celestialium revelationum', and wrote works on medicine and natural science such as 'Physica' and 'Causae et Curae'.
- In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI canonized Hildegard and named her a Doctor of the Church, making her one of only four women to receive this title.
Source
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