The story of Abelard and Heloise remains one of the worldas most dramatic and well-known love affairs. It is told through the letters of French philosopher Peter Abelard and his gifted pupil Heloise. Through their impassioned writings unfolds the story of a romance, from its reckless, ecstatic beginnings to the public scandal, enforced secret marriage, and devastating consequences that followed. These eloquent and intimate letters express a vast range of emotions from adoration and devotion to reproach, indignation, and grief, and offer a fascinating insight into religious life in the Middle Ages.

The story of Heloise and Abelard remains one of the world's most celebrated and tragic love affairs. Peter Abelard was a 12th-century French philosopher and celebrated logician. He taught in Paris, where Heloise was his pupil. Through their letters, we follow the path of their romance, from its reckless and exstatic beginnings, through the suffering, the public scandal and enforced marriage, to their eventual separation. She then became a nun, he a monk.

Peter Abelard was a French philosopher and the greatest logician of the 12th century. He taught in Paris, where Heloise was his pupil. After the tragic end of their marriage, she became a nun & he a monk. Betty Radice was the editor of the Penguin Classics during the 1960-70s & an acclaimed translator from Latin, Greek & Italian. Michael Clanchy researches at the Institute of Historical Research UCL & the Warburg Institute.