This letter is thought to have been written around 1132 C.E. Abelard writes autobiographically, recalling his misfortunes to a friend in need of consolation. He details his birth and early life in Brittany and how he chose to give up his inheritance and pursue an education, rather than go into the military. He writes that he, “[…] withdrew from the court of Mars in order to be educated in the lap of Minerva” (3). Abelard travels through the French provinces seeking an education, eventually settling in Paris with his first teacher, William of Champeaux. He argues with his teacher and fellow students over their studies and resolves to set up his own school and best his teacher in a public disputation. After succeeding in this, his reputation and prestige grow, and his student base expands. Abelard then turns to studying divinity with Anselm of Laon. He finds Anselm lacking and begins holding his own lectures on the subject. This brings him into conflict with his fellow students and Anselm, who forbids him from teaching. He then returns to Paris, in order to teach and grow his student base. 

This is where Abelard’s troubles begin, as he grows increasingly proud and yields to “the lusts of the flesh” (9).