The Letters of Abelard and Heloise (Penguin Classics)

The story of Abelard and Heloise remains one of the world’s 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 landmark translation and introduction have bee thoughtfully revised and updated
• Includes a recent essay on recent scholarship and bibliographical discoveries, suggestions for further reading, explanatory notes, maps, and index 

The story of Abelard and Heloise remains one of the world's 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.

Peter Abelard (1079—1142) was the greatest logician of the twelfth century. He taught in Paris, where Heloise (1101—1164) was his pupil when they met.

Betty Radice was editor of the Penguin Classics during the 1960—70s and an acclaimed translator from Latin, Greek, and Italian.

M. T. Clanchy researches at the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London.