medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
----- Original Message -----
From: "CF" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 10:44 PM
Subject: Re: [M-R] Vesting ceremony in the 12thC
> Dear Brenda,
> > Heloise had gone to the nunnery at Argenteuil (where she had lived as a
girl) because her uncle, Canon Fulbert in whose house she was living, had
insulted her.
> > We do not know whether these insults were harsh words or if he had shown
her violence. I believe he had shown her violence and had maybe even
attempted to rape her.
>
> This is extremely interesting. I also think there was violence involved
> rather than verbal abuse, but why do you mention rape?
It is a very subjective impression. I have always felt that F's affection
for H was "over the top" - I think the mediaeval people would have called it
"inordinate" that is, beyond the norm God had laid down for human
affections. It seems odd that H was still living in her uncle's house in her
late teens with no plans made either to marry her or to make her a nun. (If
Abelard had broken such plans he would surely have added this to his list of
offences.) What was in Fulbert's mind ? Additionally, Fulbert's rage at
Abelard's conduct seems more like the jealous rage of a husband or a lover
than the resentment of a father or guardian. When Heloise went back to Paris
she was afraid things were going to turn out badly. She knew her uncle in
ways Abelard could not. When H left Fulbert's house for the second time she
must have been badly frightened to do such a radical thing. She must have
been in fear of her life or of her honour - or both.
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
|