Hildegard of Bingen was a Benedictine Abbess… meaning she was a nun who followed the rule of St Benedict. As Abbess she was in charge of the convent. She was born in Germany in 1098 and entered the convent at the age of 18 years. She had many visions of light which helped her understand about God, creation, sin and redemption better. She was a very clever lady who wrote several books including ones about her visions, medicine and plants. She was a poet and composed music.