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Valentines Day is observed all over the world on 14th February. On this day lovers express their love for each other. The love stories deals with the various aspects of love and upholds the message the love is the most beautiful feeling that has been created by God. The love story of Abelard and Heliose is one of the most popular love stories of all times. Peter Abelard (1079-1142) was a French philosopher and was regarded as one of the greatest thinkers of the 12th century. Abelard's was accused of heresy and his teachings were controversial. Heliose ( 1101- 1164) was the niece of Canon Fulbert and was well educated.
For quite some time Abelard's writings was incorporated by the Church in the index of Forbidden Books. In 1117 Abelard was accepted as a boarder at the house of Canon Fulbert of the Cathedral of Notre Dam. Abelard met Heliose there and in order to increase his acquaintance with Heliose, Abelard persuaded Canon to allow him to become the tutor of Heliose. They fell in love with each other and Heliose became pregnant. Abelard was the canon of Notre Dam and if he married Heliose then he would lose his job. Abelard still, wanted to marry Heliose but she refused and stated that Abelard's work will get jeopardized if they got married. Later Abelard convinced Heliose and they got married, after Heliose gave birth to their son, who was named Astrolobe. Abelard wanted to tell Fulbert about their marriage but he also knew that he would be thrown out from his job if he let this secret out.
However, Abelard came to know about their marriage and felt that Abelard has ruined his niece and feared that Abelard would leave Heliose. In order to take revenge Fulbert hired some goons, who broke into Abelard's house one night and castrated him. Abelard feeling humiliated went to a monastery at the Abbey of St Denis. At the Abbey of St Denis, Abelard became a monk. Inspite of the discouragement that Heliose received from Abelard, Heloise became a nun and later on became a prioress. Heloise with time became one of the most literate women of her time and was successful as an administrator. At about 1132 Abelard and Heliose began to communicate verbally with each other.
Abelard was not happy with his job as a monk and therefore he resumed his profession as a lecturer. Abelard founded a chapel, known as Paraclete and later he later Abelard gifted this chapel to Heliose. Heliose became a prioress in this chapel and in 1125 Abelard became the archimandrite of the monastery at Saint - Gildas- de Rhuis. Abelard spent the last months of his life under the care of Peter, the Venerable of Cluny. After his death Abelard was buried at Paraclete. Heliose after her death was buried beside Abelard. Abelard and Heliose now lie side by side in a single tomb in the Abbey of St Denis in Paris. Abelard's sister adopted their son.
My Dear Valentine offers information on Abelard and Heliose.
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