Heloise & Abelard
Subtitle: a new biography
By: James Burge.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco
Published: 2003
Place of publication: [San Francisco]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 319
Subjects: Heloise, -- 1101-1164.; Abelard, Peter, -- 1079-1142.; Theologians -- France -- Biography.; Abbesses, Christian -- France -- Biography.
Genres: Biography.
Other titles: Heloise and Abelard
Description: This volume is a dual biography of medieval French philosopher and logician Peter Abelard (1079-1142) and French nun Heloise d'Argenteuil (1100-1164). Abelard's affair with and love for Heloise has become legendary. Abelard was arguably the greatest poet, philosopher, and religious teacher in all of twelfth-century Europe. In an age when women were rarely educated, Heloise was his most gifted young student. Their private tutoring sessions inevitably turned to passion, and their moments apart were spent writing love letters. Recently, new love letters between the pair surfaced, when combined with the latest scholarship, recount the couple's clandestine passion -- in a story that is erotic, poignant, and at times humorous.

A cache of newly-discovered love letters written by gifted student Heloise to medieval theology tutor Abelard follows their written relationship from behind cloistered walls after they were forced to separate.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 285-291) and index.

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