This book is the third and final volume of the entire collection of the extant letters of Hildegard of Bingen translated from Hildegard’s sometimes rather quirky Latin into English. Contained here are letters to and from members of the minor clergy; secular figures of the highest estate (emperors, kings, queens, dukes); and ordinary people of no worldly importance whatsoever. Notable in this volume is the correspondence with Frederick I, Barbarossa, who informs Hildegard in a letter that all her prophecies to him have come to pass. Also noteworthy are the letters regarding Richardis von Stade, ... More

This book is the third and final volume of the entire collection of the extant letters of Hildegard of Bingen translated from Hildegard’s sometimes rather quirky Latin into English. Contained here are letters to and from members of the minor clergy; secular figures of the highest estate (emperors, kings, queens, dukes); and ordinary people of no worldly importance whatsoever. Notable in this volume is the correspondence with Frederick I, Barbarossa, who informs Hildegard in a letter that all her prophecies to him have come to pass. Also noteworthy are the letters regarding Richardis von Stade, letters of vain protest from Hildegard about the dereliction of her favorite nun (as she saw it), and letters of remorse and consolation at Richardis’s early death. Some of the letters in this volume read more like (or perhaps were intended as) treatises or sermons on various subjects such as the dangers and iniquities of the Cathars, and the horrors of hell and purgatory. It also includes a long letter citing a large number of Hildegard’s songs and poems.