The extraordinar y life of Hildegard of Bingen

MARK Cottle gave an engaging lecture to the Arts Society Newbury, entitled ‘Vision and song in the Life of Hildegard of Bingen’.

Born at the end of the11th century and living to over 80, Hildegard was an exceptional figure, no less for her long life, when many considered 40 a great age, than for her life’s work in medicine, science and music.

When only 14, she was sent to live with an anchorite, where she was cut off from the world. However, by her late 30s she was head of a local convent and within 10 years founded a new monastery at Ruperstberg near Mainz. It is during her middle age that she produced the bulk of her writing and music. In a world dominated by men, especially in the Catholic Church at that time, it is no mean feat to have achieved not only renown as a great visionary, but the respect of her local archbishop and the Pope. She built up a reputation of respect, being considered a consultant on many

LECTURE: Mark Cottle: Vision and Song in the Life of Hildegard of Bingen on Tuesday, November 23

theological matters. She was one of the first to promote the use of herbs in medicine, paying particular attention to women’s health, which was most unusual at the time. An early believer in the importance of diet and balance in life, her views have found echoes in our current ideas about health. Perhaps some of the more medieval remedies, including the stewing of birds to control libido, are not quite to our modern taste.

Her visions were concerned with the virtues winning over the vices. She also held the firm belief that all life is connected, likening the universe, God, man and the elements to an egg. Even for those who are not religious, her vision of wholeness rings true to many. Hildegard wrote 77 plainchant songs, where emphasis is placed on the melodic line and beauty of the repetition of a word, or sound of a word, encouraging contemplation and spirituality. Much of the imagery is drawn from the Song of Songs and the Psalms .The end of the lecture was devoted to listening to some of these chants that are used to this day. If you are interested in joining our vibrant society, please visit www. theartssocietynewbury.org.uk or contact

Iona McKenzie, membership secretary at newburymembership@gmail.com. We welcome new members at any time.