Synopses & Reviews
The heart-rending love story of Abelard and Heloise was one of the most talked about relationships in the Middle Ages, and is one of the greatest love stories of all time. Peter 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. As master of the cathedral school at Notre Dame in Paris, Abelard was expected to be celibate; his career would be destroyed by marrying. In spite of this, Abelard and Heloise's private tutoring sessions inevitably turned to passionate romance, and their moments apart were spent writing love letters.
When Heloise became pregnant, her possessive guardian and uncle, Fulbert, angrily insisted that they marry. The ceremony was held in secret, but the rumor spread through Paris. Enemies confronted Heloise, who publicly denied the marriage in order to protect Abelard's career. Fearing for her safety, Abelard slipped Heloise out of the city and sent her to a convent. Robbed of his niece and his family's honor, Fulbert took revenge by having Abelard brutally castrated. Abelard retreated to a monastery, and the famous lovers now lived separate lives behind cloistered walls -- but their love, and their letters, continued.
For a long time, the only letters known to have survived dated from the later period of their separation. Then, astoundingly, a few years ago a young scholar identified 113 new letters between the pair. Lost for almost nine hundred years, these fresh missives provide an intriguing snapshot of the couple's clandestine passion that is erotic, poignant, and at times even funny.
James Burge is the firstbiographer to combine these astonishing new discoveries with the latest scholarship, resulting in a more complete biography; one that paints a fuller picture of Heloise as a woman who tested the cultural constraints of her time. Burge also addresses Abelard's theological disputes with other teachers, including Bernard of Clairvaux, which led to Abelard's eventual trial for heresy. But Heloise & Abelard is much more than a biography. It opens a window onto the enormous and exciting changes that took place in medieval Europe, even as it presents us with the richest telling yet of one of history's greatest love stories.
Review
“This is a great tale, which Burge tells vividly and economically.” Atlantic Monthly
Review
“One of the greatest love stories of all time . . . Readers will be drawn to this vivid account.” Publishers Weekly
Review
“A meticulous but always engaging explication of each lovers innermost desires . . . an impressively researched account.” BookPage
Review
“If ever scholarship could be called delectable, it is here in James Burges sympathetic and thorough account.” Susan Vreeland, author of Girl in Hyacinth Blue
Review
“[A] fascinating, funny and thoroughly engaging study . . . a witty and finely written page-turner.” National Catholic Reporter
Review
“The passion, spirit and devotion of this star-crossed couple come through on every page. Highly recommended.” Historical Novels Review
Synopsis
Author and filmmaker James Burge presents the romantic tale of doomed medieval lovers Heloise and Abelard. Combining the latest scholarship with over a hundred recently discovered letters that enrich and deepen this heart-rending story, Burge paints a fuller picture of Heloise as a woman who tested the cultural constraints of her time, and discusses Abelard's many theological disputes with his teachers, which eventually led to his trial for heresy.
British author James Burge is a producer and director of documentaries for the BBC and the Discovery Channel. His fascination with the Middle Ages, which dates from his study of medieval philosophy as a university student, led him to make "Strange Landscape," the BBC series about medieval culture, and to create a dramatization of the writings of the eccentric thirteenth-century English friar, Roger Bacon. He also writes periodically for the Independent on Sunday.
"The two lovers are as vivid as one could wish ... Burge achieves something truly difficult: he reminds us that, for Abelard and Heloise, their world was as new, risky and unpredictable as ours is, and every day as fresh with possibilities."
- Sunday Times (London)
--Atlantic Monthly
Synopsis
New Revelations about One of the Greatest Romances in History
Peter 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. Astoundingly, a few years ago a young scholar identified 113 new love letters between the pair which, combined with the latest scholarship, present us with the richest telling yet of the couple's clandestine passion -- a story that is erotic, poignant, and at times even funny.
Synopsis
New Revelations about One of the Greatest Romances in History
Peter 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. Astoundingly, a few years ago a young scholar identified 113 new love letters between the pair which, combined with the latest scholarship, present us with the richest telling yet of the couple's clandestine passion -- a story that is erotic, poignant, and at times even funny.
About the Author
James Burge is a producer and director of documentaries for the BBC and the Discovery Channel. His fascination with the Middle Ages led him to make Strange Landscape, the BBC series about medieval culture, and to create a dramatization of the writings of the eccentric thirteenth-century English friar, Roger Bacon.