Who was the first woman to achieve this in the medieval period?

Many women achieved great things during the medieval period, and it is difficult to pinpoint a single individual as the "first" woman to achieve. However, one woman who stands out as a remarkable figure from this era is Hildegard of Bingen.

Hildegard of Bingen was a German Benedictine abbess, writer, composer, philosopher, mystic, and visionary who lived from 1098 to 1179. She was born in the Rhineland, in what is now Germany, and was the tenth child of a noble family. As was common for the time, Hildegard was given to the church at a young age and was educated in a convent.

From a young age, Hildegard had mystical experiences and visions, which she believed were messages from God. She was encouraged by her mentor, Jutta von Sponheim, to record her visions and write about them. Hildegard did so, producing a series of works that included books on natural history, medicine, theology, and music.

One of Hildegard's most important works was her book Scivias, which she began writing in 1141. The book is a collection of visions that Hildegard received over several years, and it contains her ideas on theology, cosmology, and the nature of God. Scivias was widely read and influential, and it established Hildegard as a leading theologian and philosopher of her time.

In addition to her writing, Hildegard was also a composer of music. She wrote over 70 pieces of music, including chants and hymns, which were performed by her nuns. Her music was noted for its beauty and complexity, and it helped to establish the tradition of Western classical music.

Hildegard was also a skilled herbalist and healer. She wrote a book called Physica, which was a detailed study of the medicinal properties of plants and animals. Physica was widely read and used as a reference by medical practitioners throughout the medieval period.

Hildegard's achievements were remarkable for a woman of her time. Women were not generally allowed to receive a formal education or to hold positions of authority in the church. However, Hildegard's spiritual gifts and intellectual abilities were recognized by many, including the pope himself. She corresponded with several popes, and she was invited to speak at the Council of Trier in 1147.

Hildegard's legacy has endured through the centuries. She was canonized by the Catholic Church in 2012, and she is regarded as a saint and a doctor of the church. Her writings and music continue to be studied and performed, and her ideas on theology and mysticism have influenced thinkers and scholars for centuries.

In conclusion, Hildegard of Bingen was a remarkable woman who achieved great things during the medieval period. She was a writer, composer, philosopher, mystic, and visionary who made significant contributions to the fields of theology, medicine, and music. Her achievements were all the more remarkable because she lived in a time when women were not generally allowed to receive an education or hold positions of authority. Hildegard's legacy continues to inspire and influence people to this day, and she remains an important figure in the history of Western civilization.