20. Peter Abelard, one of the greatest theologians of all time, fell for a student and was then castrated by his lover’s uncle’s assassins.
In early-Medieval Europe, Peter Abelard was something of a celebrity thinker. The Frenchman was not only a preeminent philosopher, he was also the leading theologian of his time. The rich and the powerful, including the most powerful figures in the Church, would seek out his advice or opinion, and he had countless intellectual disciples. At the height of his powers, however, Abelard was brought down by one of the biggest scandals of the Middle Ages. Like a modern-day politician, an illicit love affair brought his career to a premature end and ruined his reputation.
Born in 1079, Abelard started making a name for himself as a thinker at the University of Paris from 1100 onwards. According to his biographers, he was the “keenest thinker and boldest theologian of the 12th century”. Above all, he achieved fame as a theologian, interpreting the books of the Bible. His lectures would become huge events, and parents would pay handsomely for Abelard to tutor their children. It was one such arrangement that led to his fall from grace.
Heloise d’Argenteuil was a young lady who lived with her uncle in Paris. She had a passion for the Classics and was one of Abelard’s star pupils. However, the pair soon became lovers, keeping their romance a secret. Heloise fell pregnant and her uncle found out. The couple married in secret but when the uncle announced the news in public, his niece denied it. Heloise was sent to live as a nun in a convent. Then, the uncle paid some men to break into Abelard’s house and castrate him. Though he was able to carry on his career as a theologian, his reputation was forever tarnished.
Where did we find this stuff? Here are our sources:
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