hortus deliciarum (latin for "garden of delights") is a medieval manuscript compiled by herrad of landsberg at the hohenburg abbey in alsace, better known today as mont sainte-odile. it was an illuminated encyclopedia, begun in 1167 as a pedagogical tool for young novices at the convent. it is the first encyclopedia that was evidently written by a woman. it was finished in 1185, and was one of the most celebrated illuminated manuscripts of the period. the majority of the work is in latin, with glosses in german.