Medieval Bestseller

The image on the cover of The Letters of Abelard and Heloise is an image by an artist known as The Master of the Prayer Books c. 1500. It depicts Abelard and Heloise debating love and marriage, as described by Jean de Meun in the Roman de la Rose. This translates to "The Story of the Rose" and was one of medieval literature's biggest best sellers; 250 manuscripts of the poem are known to have survived from medieval times (British Library). Guillame de Lorris began writing this in the 1230s, right at the height of chivalry and courtly love in France. His aim was to expound the whole art of love. He died before its completion, but Jean de Meun finished his work about 40 years later. While Guillame de Lorris gave love a dreamlike quality, Jean de Meun gave a more rational and cynical stance on relationships.
In the image, Abelard is a cleric and a master in the schools, yet is dressed in fine clothes of a layman. Heloise is in nun attire, during the time when Abelard removed her to the convent of Argenteuil, but still continued to visit and have sexual relations with her (Clanchy). The two red lines above the miniature translates to "How Peter Abelard instructs Heloise," but the hand gestures suggest debate rather than instruction. The two black lines read "Peter Abelard confesses that Sister Heloise the abbess never wished to agree to be his wedded wife."

British Library Online Gallery. "Roman de la Rose." 2009. Web. <http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/remarkmanu/roman/>
Clanchy, Michael. The Letters of Abelard and Heloise. London: Penguin Books, 2003 (pg 1). Print.

Relics on Tour

Some of the relics of St. Anthony of Padua went on tour to Ireland in October.  The tour consisted of six stops in major cities, which were considered places of pilgrimage while they were there. 

St. Anthony lived from 1195-1232.  He was originally an Augustinian monk and later became a Franciscan monk and was a disciple to St. Francis of Assisi.  When he died, it was said that many miracles were performed at his tomb for months afterward.  He was canonized one year after his death as the patron saint of lost things.  So if you lose something, he is the one you ask for help!

                                                       St. Anthony's Basilica in Padua

The tour lasted from the 17th to the 24th of October and hosted a piece of St. Anthony's rib and a slice of his cheek.

                                                    Relic containing St. Anthony's rib

                                              Relic containing the piece of St. Anthony's cheek

Lastly, he was known as a great orator.  When they exhumed his body to move it to its new home, his tongue and throat were still intact.  One of the miracles that was witnessed.

To read more on this tour, go to:
http://pilgrimagemedievalireland.com/2013/10/21/relics-on-tour-st-anthony-of-padua-visits-ireland/

Playing Horse with Phyllis and Aristotle

During the medieval period, philosophers were expected to maintain chastity similar to that of the church men so that their studies could be the main focus of their lives. Abelard writes in "Abelard and Heloise" of the "heave yolk" of marriage advised against by philosophers such as Aristotle and Cicero. Abelard also writes that marriage is "a rival to his study of philosophy," which is a common belief for medieval scholars. One of the most well-known examples of this is the story of Aristotle and Phyllis.
Aristotle was the teacher of Alexander the Great, to whom Phyllis was married. Aristotle influenced Alexander heavily and convinced him to separate from Phyllis so that he could focus on his political duties. Alexander agreed, much to the resentment from Phyllis. A woman scorned is not to be trifled with. She came up with a devious plan to take down Aristotle, as well as gain her husband back. Phyllis "softly sang and danced" outside of Aristotle's window to seduce him. When she was within arm's reach of him, he grabbed her and told her of his desires. She agreed to fulfill his desires if he agreed to get down on his hands and knees and let her ride upon his back like a horse. He did so without hesitation and she signaled for Alexander to come out. When Alexander saw this, Aristotle lost some of his credibility as a philosopher. Alexander forgave Aristotle and reunited with Phyllis.
Because of this story and others, philosophers see romantic relationships with women as a burden and harmful to one's academic career.
Below is a fourteenth century French bronze aquamanile of Phyllis riding Aristotle like a horse.

Learn more at:

http://www.jehsmith.com/1/2013/04/phyllis-rides-aristotle.html

http://iconics.cehd.umn.edu/Aristotle/Lecture/default.html