English & Literature

Who is Heloise d'Argenteuil from The Letters of Abelard and Heloise and what is their importance? Heloise_(abbess) English & Literature Heloise d'Argenteuil | The Letters of Abelard and Heloise

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Heloise d'Argenteuil (1101-1164) served as a nun in medieval France. She became a well-known writer and woman of letters who later served as Abbess of the Abbey at Paraclete. She was renowned for knowing Latin, Greek and Hebrew and became Peter Abelard's student. Abelard's first letter explains how he seduced Heloise and formed an illicit union with her. This relationship continued through marriage and the birth of their child, Astrolabe. Abelard eventually placed Heloise in the convent at Argenteuil.