ABSTRACT
This chapter, examines Hildegard Von Bingen's life and activities so as to explore a new avenue of public relations history research that of a woman exerting leadership within the medieval Catholic Church. It revises the historical record by examining Hildegards role as an influential woman using proto-public relations approaches within the medieval Catholic Church. In this context, the concept of role identity is crucial to understanding Hildegards need to build relationships. Hildegards letters show changes in her approach and identity, often based on responses she received from superiors in the Church. Letters to other Church officials and nobility showed similar shifts in tone as her reputation grew, demonstrating the evolution of her identity as a visionary and ecclesiastical authority. Religious art can be interpreted as a form of public relations methodology in that much art in the religious context is meant to outwardly communicate the practitioners faith as well as disseminate messages to an audience.
