ABELARD, THE 12th CENTURY CHURCH AND THE SEXES
Most students of medieval history or theology know the story of Pierre (Peter) Abelard, a famous theologian and philosopher, whose views got him denounced as a heretic in the 12th century. However, it is not as a philosopher that he is best remembered, but :his popular fameàresulted from his tragic love affair with Heloiseà.exchang(ing) famous letters of love and suffering" (Benet 2). In fact, as historians point out, the sexual dalliance of unwed adults was strongly frowned on by the Church, and the families of the "violated" women. This was the case, of course with the affair of Abelard and Heloise which had "disastrous consequences, which resulted in her giving birth to son (called Astrolabe), to Abelard's castration by Heloise's angry relatives, and to both their retreats to monastic life. Heloise was one of the most literate women of her time, and an able administrator: as a result her monastic career was notably successful. Abelard, a intellectual jouster throughout his life was notably less happy as a monk". (Bellows 1).
The influence of the Church in the 12th Century which, in many ways, was the center of the so-called "Dark Ages", was all-powerful. It was the Church that provided teaching and learning, and for the most part it was only the churchmen and women who could read and write. This was a period of intense struggle among the philosophers and leaders of the Church. "It deservesàto be noted that the twelfth century called realism 'the ancient doctrine' and gave to its opponents the name of moderni- moderns" (Durant 932). It is important to note that, despite the notoriety of Abelard's affair, he was in the forefront of these moderns at the time, having doubts (which was later used to denounce him as a heretic) about the existence of the Trinity. It is interesting to note however, that the Church usually winnowed out the young men who showed intellec...