Was Hildegard von Bingen a Lesbian?
[back to contents] Probably not. If Hildegard engaged in sexual relations with anyone, it would have meant an end to her authority of divine revelation. Hildegard’s writings are also very explicit about the penalties of temporal love. Of course it is difficulty to infer sexuality on any historical figure, the LGBTQA argument seems to have had its origins in the letters regarding Richardis von Stade, a nun and apparently close confidant of Hildegard. Richardis had been selected as abbess of Bassum, (under the influence of Richardis’ powerful mother.) Hildegard in no uncertain terms expressed to the temporal authorities that this was a bad idea. Hildegard’s request was denied but sadly Richardis died in 1152.
