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 of 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 and directed by Fay Lomas
Sound design by Nigel Lewis
Production co-ordinator: Eleri McAuliffe
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- Yesterday21:45BBC Radio 3
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