Listening to Heloise: The Voice of a Twelfth-Century Woman

The New Middle Ages

by Bonnie Wheeler (Editor)

Heloise, the twelfth-century French abbess and reformer, emerges from this book as one of history’s most extraordinary women, a thinker-writer of profound insight and skill. Her learned mind attracted the most radical philosopher of her time, Peter Abelard. He became her teacher, lover, husband, and finally monastic ally. That relationship has made her fame until now. But Heloise is far more important in her own right. Seventeen experts of international standing collaborate here to reveal and analyze how Heloise’s daring achievements shaped normative issues of theology, rhetoric, rational argument, gender, and emotional authenticity. At last we are able to see her for herself, in her moment of history and human awareness.

Genres: History

416 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2000

About the author

Bonnie Wheeler is associate professor and Director of Medieval Studies at the Southern Methodist University, Dedman College of Humanities & Sciences (Dallas, Texas).

Reviews

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

A collection of dry scholastic texts from people specialized in feeding on state jobs and state pensions. This book in itself it is another collective push towards a better pension plan "look boss, I have another work published".

[Mandy Hager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've found this edited collection of papers very interesting and helpful, and especially enjoyed the feminist perspective of several of the authors.

[Jenny Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really decent collection of essays about Heloise of Paris. Looking forward to her forthcoming biography of Heloise with Mary McLaughlin.