Life in the Medieval University

in the Medieval University, by
Robert S. Rait

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Title: Life in the Medieval University
Author: Robert S. Rait
Release Date: April 2, 2007 [EBook #20958]
Language: English
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The Cambridge Manuals of Science and Literature

LIFE IN THE MEDIEVAL UNIVERSITY

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS London: FETTER LANE, E.C.
4 C. F. CLAY, Manager
[Illustration: Arms]
New York: G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras:
MACMILLAN AND CO., Ltd. Toronto: J. M. DENT & SONS, Ltd.
Tokyo: THE MARUZEN-KABUSHIKI-KAISHA
All rights reserved

[Illustration: The Student's Progress (From Gregor Reisch's Margarita
philosophica, Edition of 1504, Strassburg)]

LIFE IN THE MEDIEVAL UNIVERSITY
BY
ROBERT S. RAIT, M.A. FELLOW AND TUTOR OF NEW
COLLEGE, OXFORD
Cambridge: at the University Press 1918

First Edition, 1912 Reprinted 1918
With the exception of the coat of arms at the foot, the design on the title

page is a reproduction of one used by the earliest known Cambridge
printer, John Siberch, 1521.

NOTE ON THE FRONTISPIECE
In this picture the schoolboy is seen arriving with his satchel and being
presented with a hornbook by Nicostrata, the Latin muse Carmentis,
who changed the Greek alphabet into the Latin. She admits him by the
key of congruitas to the House of Wisdom ("Wisdom hath builded her
house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars," Proverbs ix. 1). In the
lowest story he begins his course in Donatus under a Bachelor of Arts
armed with the birch; in the next he is promoted to Priscian. Then
follow the other subjects of the Trivium and the Quadrivium each
subject being represented by its chief exponent--logic by Aristotle,
arithmetic by Boethius, geometry by Euclid, etc. Ptolemy, the
philosopher, who represents astronomy, is confused with the kings of
the same name. Pliny and Seneca represent the more advanced study of
physical and of moral science respectively, and the edifice is crowned
by Theology, the long and arduous course for which followed that of
the Arts. Its representative in a medieval treatise is naturally Peter
Lombard.

NOTE
I wish to express my obligations to many recent writers on University
history, and to the editors of University Statutes and other records,
from which my illustrations of medieval student life have been derived.
I owe special gratitude to Dr Hastings Rashdall, Fellow of New College
and Canon of Hereford, my indebtedness to whose great work, The
Universities of Europe in the Middle Ages, is apparent throughout the
following pages. Dr Rashdall has been good enough to read my
proof-sheets, and to make valuable criticisms and suggestions, and the
Master of Emmanuel has rendered me a similar service.
R. S. R. 23rd January 1912.

CONTENTS
Chapter I
--INTRODUCTORY
Chaucer and the Medieval Student -- The Great Period of
University-Founding -- The words "Universitas," "Collegium,"
"Studium Generale" -- Bologna -- Growth of Studia Generalia -- Paris,
Oxford, Cambridge -- Definition of "Universitas"..... 1
Chapter II
--LIFE IN THE STUDENT-UNIVERSITIES
Student-Guilds at Bologna -- "Nations" -- The College of Doctors --
Relations with the City -- Position of an English Law Student at
Bologna, and his relations to his Nation and his Universitas -- The
Office of Rector -- Powers of the University over Citizens -- The
Degradation of the Bologna Masters -- Examinations -- The Doctorate
-- Regulations -- Padua -- Limitations of the Rector's Powers at
Florence -- Spanish Universities -- Married Dons.......................... 13
Chapter III
--THE UNIVERSITIES OF MASTERS
Early History of the University of Paris -- Faculties -- "Nations" --
Struggle with the Chancellor -- Position of the Rector -- Oxford
--"Nations" -- The Proctors -- University Jurisdiction -- Germany --
Scotland........................... 41
Chapter IV
--COLLEGE DISCIPLINE

Origin of the College System -- Merton -- Imitations of the Merton
Rule -- New College -- Increase in Number of Regulations
--Latin-Speaking -- Conversation in Hall -- Meals -- College Rooms --
Amusements -- Penalties -- Introduction of Corporal Punishment --The
Tonsure -- Attendance at Chapel -- Vacations -- Hospitality -- The
Career of an English Student -- Meaning of "Poor and Indigent
Scholars" -- The College System at Paris -- Sconcing -- Other French
Universities -- A Visitation of a Medieval College............