She still experienced misogyny. In a letter to Pope Eugenius, she described how her visions had been rejected and criticised by ‘many wise men … because they come from this poor female figure who was formed in the rib and not taught by philosophers’. In this bold letter Hildegard was asking the pope to challenge his own assumptions of women visionaries. She appeals to the head of the church to behave as an ally and not ignore female voices, visions and views: ‘Do not reject these secrets of God, for they are part of that need which is hidden, and which has not yet appeared openly.’60
