Love hurts. This is a concept that Héloïse and Abelard were acutely aware of. Their romance, although the stuff of legends and renowned throughout the ages, is one that does not have a happy ending. It’s a classic story of boy meets girl, except the boy was a much-older teacher and the girl was his student.

Peter Abelard, born in 1079, was a French philosopher (via Thought Co.). Although doused in controversy, his work was widely acclaimed (via the Christian History Institute). Héloïse, on the other hand, was a well-educated beauty who was the pride and joy of her uncle, Canon Fulbert. For one reason or another, Abelard convinced Fulbert to allow him to teach and tutor Héloïse. Soon, he moved into their home, and Héloïse and Abelard became lovers.

Fulbert discovered the affair happening under his own roof, and then Héloïse realized she was pregnant. After the birth of their son, Astrolabe, Abelard asked for Fulbert’s forgiveness and for Héloïse’s hand in marriage. The catch? Abelard wanted to keep the marriage a secret to protect his well-established career. Fulbert agreed, but it was Héloïse he struggled to convince. In the end, Héloïse and Abelard secretly married; what came next was a series of miscommunications and misunderstandings.

The relationship ended badly for both of them

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