The Letters of Abelard and Heloise

by Peter Abelard, Heloise, Mint Editions (Contribution by)

Overview

Soon after meeting near the famed city of love, Paris, Heloiseand Abelard fall into a deep and passionate love. Abelard is a well-known man and famous teacher; his students are considered to be lucky to study with him. Heloise, however, surpasses his other students with her multi-linguicism and impressive scholarship. Whether it be fate or their mutual intelligence, Heloise and Abelard make a quick connection. Since Heloise is one of Abelard’s pupils, the love quickly invites scandal. When Fulbert, Heloise’s uncle and sole guardian, discovers their romance, he forbids it. The two lovers continue their affair in secret, but it becomes impossible to hide when Heloise gets pregnant. After the birth of their son, Heloise is sent away to live in a convent, and Abelard soon follows her suit, becoming a monk after a violent run-in with Fulbert and his friends. Each struggle with their own religious journey, one born from necessity and shelter, the other from devotion. Though apart, Heloise and Abelard try to stay in touch and sustain their love, despite the public scandal and unfavorable odds.

Told through a series of letters, witness the intimacy of this 12th century romance. Filled with scandal, passion, and emotion, The Letters of Abelard and Heloise gives readers a personal view into the famed and real-life relationship of Abelard and Heloise. This classic romance has since inspired love stories, while Abelard and Heloise remain legends in French history, and fascinating characters of history. Heloise’s embodiment of feminist values provide much needed representation in classic literature.

With a brilliant new cover design and a readable font, The Letters of Abelard and Heloise not only tells the true and dramatic story of a forbidden romance, but also offers insight into Middle Age culture and religious life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781513267685
Publisher:	Mint Editions
Publication date:	12/01/2020
Series:	Mint Editions (In Their Own Words: Biographical and Autobiographical Narratives)
Pages:	54
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Peter Abelard was a medieval French scholar, philosopher, theologian, and teacher. Born into a noble family, Abelard was able to pursue a comprehensive education. As his father, a respected knight, requested, Abelard focused on a liberal arts education, and eventually set up his own school near Paris. He was a respected scholar in his time, and was well-known for his philosophy.

Heloise was a French writer, scholar, and abbess in the 12th century. She well-known for her intelligence, including her multi-linguicism, and her love affair with Peter Abelard. Heloise is now considered to be an important part of French literary history, revered for her early representation of feminist values.

Table of Contents

The Letters of Abelard and HeloiseAcknowledgments
Preface to the Revised Edition
Chronology
Introduction
The Letters of Abelard and Heloise in Today's Scholarship
Further Reading

Letter 1. Historia calamitatum: Abelard to a Friend: The Story of His Misfortunes

The Personal Letters
Letter 2. Heloise to Abelard
Letter 3. Abelard to Heloise
Letter 4. Heloise to Abelard
Letter 5. Abelard to Heloise

The Letters of Direction
Letter 6. Heloise to Abelard
Letter 7. Abelard to Heloise (summarized)
Letter 8. Abelard to Heloise

Abelard's Confession of Faith

Letters of Peter the Venerable and Heloise
Peter the Venerable: Letter (98) to Pope Innocent II
Peter the Venerable: Letter (115) to Heloise
Heloise: Letter (167) to Peter the Venerable
Peter the Venerable: Letter (168) to Heloise

Two Hymns by Abelard
Sabbato ad Vesperas
In Parasceve Domini: III. Nocturno

Appendix: An Excerpt from the 'Lost Love Letter' of Heloise and Abelard

Maps
The Kingdom of France in the time of Abelard
Paris in the time of Abelard

Notes
Index

Editorial Reviews

The joint tomb of Peter and Heloise Abelard remains one of the most visited sites in Paris even though they died long ago, in the twelfth century. Their story of a love that endured despite the opposition of her family and the Church, and despite his mutilation, has been retold many times, and every version is based on the authentic documents in this audiobook. Of the nine letters between the lovers, Peter’s are narrated by Gunnar Cauthery and Heloise's by Alison Pettitt. A few additional missives fill out the story. Almost all of the text is couched in the deeply pious vocabulary of medieval Christianity. The formality of the material limits the emotional range available to the highly skilled narrators, but they make the most of the nuances they find. D.M.H. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2018 - AudioFile

The joint tomb of Peter and Heloise Abelard remains one of the most visited sites in Paris even though they died long ago, in the twelfth century. Their story of a love that endured despite the opposition of her family and the Church, and despite his mutilation, has been retold many times, and every version is based on the authentic documents in this audiobook. Of the nine letters between the lovers, Peter’s are narrated by Gunnar Cauthery and Heloise's by Alison Pettitt. A few additional missives fill out the story. Almost all of the text is couched in the deeply pious vocabulary of medieval Christianity. The formality of the material limits the emotional range available to the highly skilled narrators, but they make the most of the nuances they find. D.M.H. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2018 - AudioFile