Heloise & Abelard

A New Biography

Author: James Burge Series: Insight (Concordia)

In this compelling biography, newly discovered letters from Heloise to Abelard shed fresh light onto one of the most famous romances in history.

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Summary

In this compelling biography, newly discovered letters from Heloise to Abelard shed fresh light onto one of the most famous romances in history.

Description

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.

Critic Reviews

“"This is a great tale, which Burge tells vividly and economically." -- Atlantic Monthly "If ever scholarship could be called delectable, it is here in James Burge's sympathetic and thorough account." -- Susan Vreeland, author of Girl in Hyacinth Blue "One of the greatest love stories of all time . . . Readers will be drawn to this vivid account." -- Publishers Weekly "A meticulous but always engaging explication of each lover's innermost desires . . . an impressively researched account." -- BookPage "[A] fascinating, funny and thoroughly engaging study . . . a witty and finely written page-turner." -- National Catholic Reporter "The passion, spirit and devotion of this star-crossed couple come through on every page. Highly recommended." -- Historical Novels Review”

"This is a great tale, which Burge tells vividly and economically." -- Atlantic Monthly

"If ever scholarship could be called delectable, it is here in James Burge's sympathetic and thorough account." -- Susan Vreeland, author of Girl in Hyacinth Blue

"One of the greatest love stories of all time . . . Readers will be drawn to this vivid account." -- Publishers Weekly

"A meticulous but always engaging explication of each lover's innermost desires . . . an impressively researched account." -- BookPage

"[A] fascinating, funny and thoroughly engaging study . . . a witty and finely written page-turner." -- National Catholic Reporter

"The passion, spirit and devotion of this star-crossed couple come through on every page. Highly recommended." -- Historical Novels Review

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.