Héloïse d’Argenteuil (lived from about 1100 to 1164) is more properly referred to as Héloïse d’Argenteuil, Abbess of the Paraclete, but commonly just called Heloise. She was the founding abbess of the Oratory of the Paraclete, founded in 1125 in Ferreux-Quincey, France. An influential leader in women’s monasticism, Heloise was a learned woman, a nun, and a writer. Early in her professional career, she took Peter Abelard as her teacher and her lover and then made him her husband. Academic scholarship is finally recognizing Héloïse d’Argenteuil, Abbess of the Paraclete, to be an eminent thinker and leader in the Middle Ages and throughout all herstory.
Mary of Egypt was a foremother to Heloise of the Paraclete in her extra-marital sexual experience, her erotic memories, and her thought on intention. … Read the post Mary of Egypt in the thought of Heloise of the Paraclete
Heloise preferred to be Abelard’s whore or mistress than be Abelard’s wife. She surely was wholly innocent of their disastrous marriage. … Read the post Heloise wholly innocent of disastrous marriage with Abelard
With her daring invocation of men’s literature of sexed protest, Heloise taught Abelard the boldness and courage he needed for his Samson planctus. … Read the post Heloise taught Abelard boldness and courage
Everyone today should listen attentively to the voice of the learned, articulate, feminine medieval woman Heloise expressing her love to Peter Abelard. … Read the post Heloise loved Abelard with a big-hearted feminine love