Guidance for Women in Twelfth-Century Convents

Collection of letters and texts offering guidance for nuns, and including selections from Abelard's letters to Heloise.

These translated letters and texts composed for younger and older women in twelfth-century convents illuminate the powerful medieval ideals of virginity and chastity. Abelard's history of women's roles in the church and his letteron women's education, both written for Heloise in her work as abbess, are seen here alongside previously untranslated letters and texts for abbess...