Scott Harrison: Abelard

Peter Abelard (1079-1142)

Héloise & Abelard

      Abelard was a French cleric and nominalist philosopher who seduced one of his students, a 17 year old beauty, Héloise. Her uncle, an official of the church, thought this rude of the priest and had some buddies give Abelard a lesson he would never forget.

When Abelard near Notre Dame Had taught his fair pupil the game,     Her uncle—the wag—     Cut off Peter's bag, And his lectures were never the same.     —Carlyle Ferren MacIntyre

      Perhaps, though, his lectures were pitched at a higher level than before.

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