As a child, Hildegard von Bingen was "given to God" and taken to live in an abbey, where she began her education and developed diverse interests.
Born the tenth child in an era where the practice of tithing often extended to children, Hildegard was dedicated to religious life at a young age. This meant she was sent to live in an abbey, a monastic community, where she would be raised within its spiritual and educational framework rather than in her family home.
During her time in the abbey as a young nun, Hildegard was exposed to a wealth of knowledge and began to cultivate a wide array of skills. Her early activities included:
- Learning Faith and Healing: She received instruction in religious doctrine and the practical aspects of healing, which was often intertwined with monastic life.
- Exploring Various Disciplines: Beyond her formal religious training, she started to delve into several intellectual and creative fields, laying the groundwork for her future accomplishments. These areas included:
- Medicine: Developing an early interest in the human body and remedies.
- Natural Science: Observing and understanding the natural world around her.
- Music: Engaging with musical composition and performance, an area where she would later become renowned.
- Writing: Cultivating her literary skills, which would eventually lead to extensive theological, scientific, and poetic works.
These formative years in the abbey provided Hildegard with a unique environment that nurtured her intellect and curiosity, allowing her to explore the foundations of the many disciplines she would later master.
