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The letters of Heloïse (1101-1162) and Pierre Abélard are among the best known records of early romantic love.
Though Heloïse (also spelled Héloise, Hélose, Heloisa, and Helouisa, among other variations) is best known for her relationship with Peter Abélard, she was a brilliant scholar of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew and had a reputation for intelligence and insight. Not a great deal is known of her immediate family except that in her letters she implies she is of a lower social standing (probably the Garlande family who had money and several members in strong positions) than was Abélard, who was from the nobility.
What is known is that she was the ward of an uncle, a canon in Paris named Fulbert, and by the age of 18 she had become the student of Pierre Abélard who was one of the most popular teachers and philosophers in Paris.
In his writings, Abélard tells the story of his seduction of Heloïse, their secret marriage, the birth of a son, Astrolabius (in English, "Astrolabe"), and of his castration by her furious guardian, after which Heloïse entered a convent in Argenteuil.
At the convent in Argenteuil, Heloïse eventually became prioress. She and the other nuns were turned out when the convent was taken over, at which point Abélard arranged for them to enter the Oratory of the Paraclete, an abbey he had established, and Heloïse became the abbess there.
It was at about this time that a correspondence between the two former lovers sprang up. Heloïse encouraged Abélard in his philosophical work, and he dedicated his profession of faith to her.
There seems to be some dissent as to her actual resting place.
The Oratory of the Paraclete claims she and Abélard are buried on their site and that what exists in Père-Lachaise is merely a monument. According to the Père-Lachaise Cemetery, the remains of both lovers were translated from the Oratory in the early 19th century and reburied in the famous crypt on their grounds. (illustration, left) There are still others who believe that while Abélard is buried in the crypt at Père-Lachaise, Heloïse's remains are elsewhere.
External links
- The successive tombs of Abélard and Héloïse (in French)
- Abelard and Heloise from In Our Time (BBC Radio 4)
French writers | French nuns | Benedictine nuns | Women writers | Medieval women | 1101 births | 1162 deaths
"Heloise (student of Abelard)"