Disguised as "Minstrels"; "Healers"; or "Scribes" you'll come to understand and appreciated the life of one extraordinary woman in this biographical study of Hildegard of Bingen.

Long before video games, televisions, radios, automobiles, and even telephones, in the mists of medieval Germany, over nine hundred years ago, a child was born. It may have been a simplier time than today, yet few would argue that it was less dangerous or less predictable. Who would have dreamed that a sickly baby girl, the tenth child to a noble family in 1098, would one day grow up to change the minds of Kings and challenge the religious practices of Popes?

Discussion Questions for Spear of Destiny
[Spoiler Alert: plot details revealed!]
Rubric for Minstrels
Rubric for Healers
Rubric for Scribes





View the Timeline for Hildegard's life at:  http://www.oxfordgirlschoir.co.uk/hildegard/hildegardchronology.html

Book 1. Spear of Destiny

The Seer and the Scribe begins where recorded history is silent, introducing readers to the remarkable life of a younger Hildegard of Bingen, who together with her trusted scribe, Volmar, unravel a murderous plot to seize one of Christendom's holiest of relics, the Spear of Destiny.

Published by Luminis Books.
1950 East Greyhound Pass, #18, PMB280
Carmel, IN 46033

Publicist: Rebecca Grouse
SoCal Public Relations
619.460.2179 (San Diego CA)
socalpublicrelations@yahoo.com

Released May 2011!
ISBN 10: 1-935462393 ISBN 13: 9781935462392 $16.95

Introduction: Picture yourself in a millennium-old church where the monks walk slowly down a gray-stone corridor and sing in Latin. See the rising morning mist encircling the graceful arches as the sound of the chants of these devout men worshipping their creator can be heard, awakening the birds in the trees.

Assignment: Compose your own chant, using what you learn about the medieval Geogorian chants. Translate it into Latin, using a translator, set it to music and record or practice singing it, keeping it to the traditional solemn, strong, and mystifying characteristics of this type of music.

Be sure to blog about your experience afterwards, explaining what it is you have learned and what you found surprising in your journey back into time.

Introduction: Outside the gates there are the suffering townspeople, waiting patiently to see Brother Paulus, Disibodenberg's Infirmiarian. As you enter the gates you cannot help but notice the tender care given to the monastery's herbal gardens. It is here he turns to the herbs and other plants he grows to add to the ingredients of the salves and potions he prescribes to all the sick people who come to him for care. He must consider the space available, the lighting needs of each plant, the size of a full grown speciman, and its water requirements.

Assignment: Plan and layout on graph paper a design of an ideal medieval cloister garden. Keep in mind what is known in the 12th century, that is, the typical ailments and treatments prescribed at that time. Be sure to incorporate: plants for paints to be used by the scribes; healing plants for the sick and infirmed; and lastly plants that would be used in preparing and seasoning the meals served to the poor and to the monastery monks and nuns.

Be sure to blog about your experience afterwards, explaining what it is you have learned and what you found surprising in your journey back into time.

Introduction: In the care of the anchoress Jutta, Hildegard spent her life from fourteen years of age until her death at age 81 (nearly 67 years) abiding by the routines of monastic life.

Assignment: Assume the identity of a scribe, and as Brother John or Sister Mary Catherine time travel back to medieval Germany in the 12th century and research what it may have been like to live as a scribe. Write a fictional account in a journal format, detailing the duties of your day as you live your life at the monastery..."A Day in the Life of a Scribe", if you will. Begin with the insistent ringing of the bells at Matins until the close of the day at Compline. Envision the classroom transforming into a scriptorium and experience this demanding life of work and prayer as a medieval monk or nun!

Be sure to blog about your experience afterwards, explaining what it is you have learned and what you found surprising in your journey back into time.