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"As student I was traveling in France from Mont-Saint-Michel to Chartres, and reading Henry Adams’ book which explores the rise of gothic architecture. Adams incorporated highlights of the key events and people of the twelfth century Renaissance, including the story of Abelard and Heloise, and their meeting in 1117. Adams’ account was my first exposure to their timeless story.

Later, as a professor of Western Civilization, I came across the story again. What first intrigued me was the discovery that Abelard’s philosophical ‘methodology’ actually helped to shape and pave the way for modern scientific inquiry. Like Copernicus, Galileo, and much later, Einstein, Abelard’s unique approach to the dialectic (logic, analysis, and debate) changed history.

‘As I read more about Peter Abelard and his life 900 years ago, I found that he was not only a revered scholar, but also a poet, accomplished singer, and a composer. In fact, he was very much a folk hero of his day. Students followed him everywhere he went; important leaders consulted him regularly on matters of great importance, and his fame spread widely. When he met Heloise, Abelard was already one of the best known teachers and philosophers in all of the medieval world.

‘Abelard and Heloise often sang to one another, and as one of Heloise’s letters attests, she fell in love with Abelard partly because of his magnificent voice. In another letter, Heloise conveys ‘Since many of the songs you wrote for me told of our love, they soon made me not only famous throughout the world, but the envy of every woman who heard them.’

‘Because Abelard was not supposed to marry, their love faced great adversity from the beginning. In fact, it appeared at one point as if the entire world was conspiring to drive them apart. Even those closest to them committed horrifying acts of betrayal - some of which are eerily reminiscent of today’s most shocking headlines. But in the end, their lives mirrored the music that they shared - sometimes joyous, often poignant, and always filled with faith.

‘Like Sampson and Delilah, Antoni and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet - this is a story that must be told. A timeless tale that will touch millions with the breathless purity of its undeniable message: that love will triumph over all else."

This text was taken from the Official Rage of the Heart website, which unfortunately does not exist anymore. I therefore took the freedom to use this piece of information.

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