Abelard condemned at Sens

June 2, 1140

Bernard of Clairvaux cornered Peter Abelard at a council in Sens and presented a catalogue of supposed errors extracted from his books. Abelard refused to debate, appealed to Rome, and set out to plead his case. He died at a Cluniac priory before reaching the Alps. Peter the Venerable sheltered him during his final months and later reunited his body with Heloise's, ensuring their legend would outlive Bernard's condemnation.