Hildegard was born in early Medieval Francia, an area roughly corresponding with modern-day France.
She was the daughter of Charlemagne, who became Holy Roman Emperor, and his wife, Queen Hildegard of the Vinzgau. Queen Hildegard died within a few days of the birth, while the infant lived for 40 days.
At the time of her death, Charles commanded the following epitaph:
"Hildegard, bitter death took you away untimely
As the cold north wind snatches away the buds of the cypresses in spring,
you did not live for even a year.
You never had a first birthday.
Little girl, little maiden, you left behind grief that was not little
You pierce as with a spear the royal heart of your father,
And bearing your mother's name, you renew the sorrow of her death
After you scarcely lived 40 days."
She was the daughter of Charlemagne, who became Holy Roman Emperor, and his wife, Queen Hildegard of the Vinzgau. Queen Hildegard died within a few days of the birth, while the infant lived for 40 days.
At the time of her death, Charles commanded the following epitaph:
"Hildegard, bitter death took you away untimely
As the cold north wind snatches away the buds of the cypresses in spring,
you did not live for even a year.
You never had a first birthday.
Little girl, little maiden, you left behind grief that was not little
You pierce as with a spear the royal heart of your father,
And bearing your mother's name, you renew the sorrow of her death
After you scarcely lived 40 days."
Hildegard was born in early Medieval Francia, an area roughly corresponding with modern-day France.
She was the daughter of Charlemagne, who became Holy Roman Emperor, and his wife, Queen Hildegard of the Vinzgau. Queen Hildegard died within a few days of the birth, while the infant lived for 40 days.
At the time of her death, Charles commanded the following epitaph:
"Hildegard, bitter death took you away untimely
As the cold north wind snatches away the buds of the cypresses in spring,
you did not live for even a year.
You never had a first birthday.
Little girl, little maiden, you left behind grief that was not little
You pierce as with a spear the royal heart of your father,
And bearing your mother's name, you renew the sorrow of her death
After you scarcely lived 40 days."
She was the daughter of Charlemagne, who became Holy Roman Emperor, and his wife, Queen Hildegard of the Vinzgau. Queen Hildegard died within a few days of the birth, while the infant lived for 40 days.
At the time of her death, Charles commanded the following epitaph:
"Hildegard, bitter death took you away untimely
As the cold north wind snatches away the buds of the cypresses in spring,
you did not live for even a year.
You never had a first birthday.
Little girl, little maiden, you left behind grief that was not little
You pierce as with a spear the royal heart of your father,
And bearing your mother's name, you renew the sorrow of her death
After you scarcely lived 40 days."
Gravesite Details
This abbey was destroyed by the Normans in the 9th century when they plundered Metz. It was later re-built, though the grave is no longer there.
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