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Episode 1

Medieval composer and polymath Hildegard of Bingen remembers entering an anchorage as a child. A fictionalised account, written by Anna Linstrum and performed by Juliet Stevenson.

Hildegard von Bingen — medieval nun turned composer, mystic, political adviser, botanist, philosopher, theologian, medic, scientist, and later, saint.

Hildegard watches her bones exhumed by inquisitive Victorians. She’s been moved several times since death: stolen, saved, hidden. Denied peace in life and death.

She decides to set the record straight, and tell her extraordinary story.

A childhood filled with visions she can’t explain changes abruptly when she is given away to the Church to become an anchoress. Aged 14, she is shut away in a cell attached to a church. She thinks it’s for life…

Written by Anna Linstrum
Performed by Juliet Stevenson
Produced by Fay Lomas.
Production co-ordinator: Eleri McAuliffe
Sound designer: Nigel Lewis

Release date:

14 minutes

On radio

Monday 21:45

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