Hygeburg

Who is Hygeburg?

Hygeburg, also Hugeburc or Huneberc, was an Anglo-Saxon nun at the Abbey of Heidenheim in Germany.

Hygeburg was the author of a life of Willibald, the Vita S. Willibaldi, written at some time between 767 and 778. She also produced a life of Willibald's brother Wynnebald, who had been Abbot of Heidenheim until his death in 761. This Vita S. Wynnebaldi was composed in the period 782 to 785. It is likely that Hygeburg met Willibald in 777 when he arranged the translation of his brother's remains.

In addition to the simple hagiography, in Latin stylistically similar to that of Aldhelm, Hygeburg's life of Willibald includes her Hodoeporicon which comprises Willibald's dictated account of his travels to Rome, Asia Minor, and Jerusalem.

Ca. 780 CE the nun Hygeburg visited Caesarea and reported that the town had a church and a "great many Christians."