St Nicholas Priory is celebrating its Benedictine history on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March with a weekend of medieval food, talks, workshops and music exploring the life and times of Hildegard of Bingen.
Events begin on Saturday with a meditation workshop at 12pm followed by a medieval lunch based on Hildegard’s recipes at 12.45pm. An illustrated talk about the Benedictine abbess, composer and polymath by visiting artist and poet Caroline Gay Way follows at 2pm.
Saturday evening’s events include a Caroline Gay Way talk about Hildegard of Bingen’s morality plays, operas and music, accompanied by musical extracts and a cappella singing, with poetry round a medieval bar and Compline at the end of the day.
Events on Sunday include readings and re-enactments with a musical workshop, medieval chants, poetry and displays. Refreshments will be available throughout the day.
The frontispiece of Scivias by Hildegard of Bingen. Image: Wikimedia Commons.
Grade I listed St Nicholas Priory, founded by William the Conqueror in 1087, is Exeter’s oldest building.
It was home to Benedictine monks for several hundred years until the dissolution of the monasteries.
It then became a prominent Elizabethan town house before being subdivided into several smaller houses and business premises.
In 1916 it was restored to become a museum, with Exeter Historic Buildings Trust becoming responsible for its use in 2018.
The Life of the Visionary Hildegard of Bingen takes place at 12-4pm on Saturday March 2026 at St Nicholas Priory. Aspects of Hildegard follows at 6.30pm.
Tickets for each cost £10-12, or £5 for students, and can be bought via the Ticketsource website.
Sunday’s Benedictine weekend events take place from 10am-4pm and are free to attend.
