The book is a collection of letters between Abelard and Heloise. Abelard was a Medieval French scholastic philosopher while Heloise was his young student, famous as the most well-educated and intelligent woman in Paris at the time.
Peter Abelard's love affair with Helo se has become legendary. Helo se lived within the precincts of Notre-Dame, under the care of her uncle. Abelard sought a place in her uncle's house and began an affair with Helo se.
Peter Abelard was the tutor of nineteen year old Heloise, and nearly twenty years her senior. It was a torrid affair, Heloise fell pregnant, and her guardian, Abbot Fulbert, plotted a hideous revenge. Abelard was seized and castrated.