Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

Medieval Europe's Biggest Sex Scandal

July 31, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Medieval Europe's Biggest Sex Scandal

The 12th-century theologian Peter Abelard described the affair with his teenage student Eloise in visceral terms: "My hands strayed more from the parchment and onto each other." The parchment was made of animal skin, and the comparison was deliberate. Abelard and Eloise, whose story has been romanticized for centuries as one of history's great love affairs, were engaged in what was, by any measure, a deeply problematic relationship—a 40-year-old priest and university lecturer sleeping with his 16- or 18-year-old student, who had been placed in his care specifically to prepare her for an advantageous marriage. The affair ended with Eloise pregnant, Abelard castrated by hired goons, and both of them confined to religious life. Yet their letters survived, and the story has endured not because it was a clean romance, but because it offers a rare window into how medieval people actually thought, felt, and loved.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 Medieval Europe's Biggest Sex Scandal
  • 2 Timestamped Outline
  • 3 (03:01) **Introducing Eloise and Abelard** - Kate Lister sets up the 12th-century scandal: a 40-year-old professor's affair with his student that became known as one of history's greatest love stories
  • 4 (07:45) **The 12th Century Renaissance Setting** - The intellectual and institutional backdrop that made this scandal possible
  • 5 (10:21) **Peter Abelard: The Medieval Kanye West** - Abelard's personality and reputation as a brilliant but insufferable academic
  • 6 (11:58) **Eloise: The Brilliant Young Noblewoman** - Introducing Eloise's background and the power imbalance in the relationship
  • 7 (13:29) **The Affair Begins** - How the relationship started and the dynamics between teacher and student

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

This is the wild story of a 12th century French philosopher, Abelard, who fell in love with his student, Heloise.


There are a lot of problematic issues going on. Not least their age gap, the resulting power dynamic, and, oh yes—Abelard was castrated.


So why does this love story endure?


Joining Kate today is the fantastic Dr Eleanor Janega, historian, author and co-host of our sister podcast Gone Medieval.


Voting is now open for the Listener's Choice Award at this year's Podcast Awards. Click to place your vote on the Spotify mobile app: https://open.spotify.com/s/xhg6PJa


This episode was edited by Natasha Hughes. The producer was Sophie Gee. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.


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All music from Epidemic Sounds.


Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

Voting is now open for the Listener's Choice Award at this year's Podcast Awards! UK & Ireland listeners please place your vote on the Spotify mobile app here: https://open.spotify.com/s/xhg6PJa

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Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

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