Letter 16: Philip, Archbishop of Cologne, to Hildegard
The Letters
simple maiden used to capture the mighty unicorn has been transformed into the Holy
Virgin. In the Physica (viii.5), Hildegard writes at length of the unicorn in purely naturalisic, non-allegorical, terms.
23. This is the Abuse of Power conception of the Redemption, whereby Satan, completely unaware (and kept unaware) of the divinity of the Christ, oversteps his bounds and has an absolutely sinless man killed. He thereby forfeits his original prey and opens the way to the harrowing of hell and the fulfillment of the plan of redemption.
24. The orders of the angels are, in ascending order, angels, archangels, virtues, powers, principalities, dominations, thrones, cherubim, and seraphim. As Barbara Newman notes ("Intro," Hart and Bishop, Scivias, p. 30), Hildegard took the idea of the celestial hierarchy mirroring the ecclesiastical hierarchy from Pseudo-Dionysius.
25. Probably Henry IV, with whom Hildegard felt a new, evil, "womanish" age began.
26. Note Hildegard's essential conservatism. This is a condemnation of new religious orders.
27. At this point a third MS picks up the text of this questionable passage.
28. This is Van Acker's second appendix to this letter, again attested by only two
MSS. In the MSS, the text appears after line 25, p. 60, following the sentence, "But let each, to the best oi his ability, escape them through good works and the safe harbor of uncorrupted will, and God will provide him with His aid."
29. That is, from the error of the Cathars?
Philip, Archbishop of Cologne, to Hildegard 1167-73 The archbishop of Cologne inquires about Hildegard's health and requests that she impart to him any admonitions about Cologne that she receives from God.
Philip, archbishop of Cologne by the grace of God, sends greetings to his beloved sister, Hildegard. Wondrously infused with the Holy Spirit as you are,
I pray that, in celestial glory, you may see Him, in whose embraces you long to be.
Although we are so widely separated from each other that we cannot enjoy mutual company and conversation, still the love of Christ will keep together those who are joined in spirit. Whence it is, beloved mother, that when the long-desired opportunity to travel on the road to see you at last presented itself this year, your sickness and weakness of body disturbed and dismayed not only my heart but also the hearts of the many who in our land embrace you in Christ, for we are always hopeful for your bodily health and your eternal salvation.