Did you know? Hildegard

ORDERS AND ABBEYS

Monasticism in the life of the church began as early as the third century. By the Middle Ages, thousands of monastic communities could be found across Europe. The twelfth through fifteenth centuries saw the rise of numerous mystics, lay movements (such as the Beguines), and mendicant orders (such as the Franciscans and the Dominicans; for more on all of these, see CH issues #127 and #149). During Hildegard’s lifetime, the best-established and influential were the Benedictines, who followed the Rule of Benedict (a monastic tradition established by sixth-century monk, Benedict of Nursia), and the Cistercians, a reforming order within the Benedictines. 

NOBILITY, NORTHMEN, AND NUNS

After the reign of Charlemagne (768–814), much of Europe evolved into a decentralized system of government and economics known as feudalism. Rather than the well-organized nation-states that we think of today, Europe’s barter economy and rulership revolved around the local castles and their surrounding lands. Knights—the lowest level of the nobility—lived in small castles or large fortified manor houses and owned tracts of land that were worked by peasants. In times of threat, the knight’s family and hopefully some peasants would scurry into the castle for protection. 

This decentralized system of defense was necessary because of the constant threat of Viking raids, which began during Charlemagne’s reign and continued for three centuries (see CH #160). Instead of amassing a large invasion force, the Vikings of Scandinavia sent out small groups of longboats, each holding several dozen warriors. These boats traveled quickly, which enabled them to pass from the North Sea through the English Channel to the Atlantic Ocean and then into the Mediterranean Sea. From there they would paddle up various rivers along which they could attack by surprise. The Northmen raided villages, killing and pillaging, as well as kidnapping and enslaving young girls. Thus, small local castles, within easy running distance of a threatened farm or village, provided the inhabitants their best hope of safety from the Vikings. 

Knights swore fealty to their local count, the ruler of a sizable county. The knights promised to go to war for the count, and the count promised to protect the knights. On their part counts would swear fealty to dukes who truly held the power in medieval Europe. Not infrequently two or more powerful dukes would claim kingship over the same territory and fight for it.

Monasticism was closely connected to the landed nobility who were the backbone of feudalism. Noble families would often establish monasteries, endowing them with lands that the peasants would tend for them. Well-built monasteries, therefore, functioned as strongholds for monks, nuns, and peasants. Those noble families also often placed one of their younger sons or daughters as abbot or abbess over the monastery. (Older sons and daughters were given in strategically arranged marriages that helped the family gain territory and power.) 

While such a close connection between monasteries and the local nobility worked well in some situations, at times it opened the door for less-than-godly noblemen to control the monasteries, leading to lax spiritual practices and slack moral standards. 

ABBESS OR PRIORESS?

Just as Benedictine monasteries of men were governed by an “abbot” (meaning “father,” from Aramaic abba), many monasteries of women were ruled by an “abbess” or spiritual mother to the nuns. In an abbey the abbot’s deputy is usually designated “prior”; in a priory the prior is the superior under the local overseeing abbot. Thus some women’s monasteries were governed by a “prioress” who was under an abbess or abbot of a nearby monastery. 

Although today Hildegard of Bingen is regularly referred to as an abbess, she never held this title. Technically she was always a prioress, or magistra (teacher), and remained under the supervision of the abbot of Disibodenberg. Not until after her death did the monasteries that Hildegard founded gain full self-jurisdiction as abbeys.

CRITICAL DOCTORS

While women in general had little voice in the Middle Ages, a number of saintly women boldly spoke out in their day against corruption, both in the church and the state. Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) lived at home and became part of the Third Order of Dominicans. She confronted Pope Gregory XI for living in Avignon, France, rather than in Rome (since the pope, by definition, is the bishop of Rome!). Quite possibly her voice of correction played a role in Gregory’s return to Rome in 1377. Hildegard similarly addressed issues in both church and state (see p. 16). Interestingly authorities silenced neither woman in her day; and, in the past 60 years, both women have been recognized as doctors (teachers) of the Catholic Church.

WALK WITH HILDEGARD

Anyone can still visit the second monastery that Hildegard established in Eibingen, which overlooks the city of Rüdesheim on the Rhine River. Rebuilt in 1904, the structure houses an active Benedictine convent today. A short walk from the monastery leads to St. Hildegard Parish and Pilgrimage Church, built on the original foundation of the Eibingen convent where her relics are housed today. Just across the Rhine River is the city of Bingen, where one can visit the ruins of Hildegard’s first monastery (see pp. 40–41 for more).  CH