Medieval Universities

Development of the Medieval Universities

Of course, these Medieval places of higher learning were not the first of their kind. Their predecessors were monastic and cathedral schools that existed within the framework of the Church. These institutions arose as early as the 6th century after the collapse of the Roman Empire. Because they were under the direct control of the Church, their teachers were both monks and nuns. Monasteries were the main hubs for intellectual, cultural, and artistic development at this time.

However, as urban centers became more important, so did the need for higher places of learning. As a result, from the 12th century onward, several universities emerged in cities across Europe. The 1079 Papal Decree issued by Pope Gregory VII initiated the eventual transformation of cathedral schools into universities. Early universities prioritized theological education, and their graduates rose to the ranks of the Church. At the same time, their curriculum included other subjects, such as liberal arts.

History of the Medieval Universities: A Timeline

The first ten universities in Europe include:

• University of Bologna (1088), Italy
• University of Paris (1150), France
• University of Oxford (1167), England
• University of Modena (1175), Italy
• University of Palencia (1208), Spain
• University of Cambridge (1209), England
• University of Salamanca (1218), Spain
• University of Montpellier (1220), France
• University of Padua (1222), Italy
• University of Toulouse (1229), France

Fig. 2 - A philosophy course in Paris, Grandes Chroniques de France, late 14th century

University of Paris

The University of Paris was founded around the year 1150, which makes it one of the oldest European universities. This university was a significant hub for critical scholastic thinkers, including Albert the Great (Magnus), Thomas Aquinas, John Duns Scotus, and Bonaventure. The university's antecedents were the cathedral schools housed at Notre Dame. One of the key reasons for developing this particular university was Papacy's endorsement. As a result, by the 14^th century, the University of Paris transformed into one of the most important institutions in Europe.

The university's academic focus was the faculty of theology. However, it also offered coursework in three other faculties: arts, canon law, and medicine. Arts were considered an inferior form of study, whereas medicine, theology, and canon law comprised the superior aspect of education. The medieval concept of art was different from the one today. It included two categories. The first category comprised music, astronomy, arithmetic, and geometry. It was known as quadrivium because there were four subjects. The second category, the trivium, comprised dialectic, grammar, and rhetoric.

Even though the arts faculty was deemed inferior to others, studying the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle was essential. At this time, Aristotle was the central thinker for Scholasticism—the leading school of thought in medieval Christendom.

Structurally, the University of Paris had a dean for each faculty. In the 14^th century, the arts faculty dean headed the entire university. He was called a rector.

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford (est. 1096-1167) was a prominent early institution of higher learning in England. This institution used the University of Paris as an academic blueprint. Like its Parisian counterpart, the University of Oxford also established the faculties of arts, medicine, law, and theology. And like Paris, the English university had its famous thinkers, including scholastics John Duns Scotus, Roger Bacon, and William of Ockham. In the 13^th century, the English crown also gave the University of Oxford a charter.

At first, Oxford was famous for its teaching of arts and the most important field, theology. However, as time went on, science study also gained currency. This institution placed more emphasis on science than its Parisian counterpart because of Roger Bacon's presence. This scholastic academic dedicated his time at Oxford (1247-1257) to teaching and scientific experiments. Theology, however, remained a central area of study at Oxford. Religious dogma played an essential role in European society at this time. In addition, Oxford housed both the Dominican and the Franciscan orders.

Students in Medieval Universities

Oxford did not have buildings for the first few years of its existence. As a result, the university held lectures in church halls, whereas its colleges were boarding houses. In the 13^th century, Oxford already included Merton College, University College, and Balliol College. Poor students studying to receive bachelor's or master's of arts degrees lived in these boarding houses. To continue their studies, these students needed financial aid. It is also important to note that in terms of gender, the students in these Medieval academic institutions were men.

Importance of the Medieval Universities

the importance of universities during the Middle Ages cannot be overestimated. In their halls, they teach the soon-to-be civil servants of the realm how to preach to future priests. They impacted the people to a high degree by directing what to believe and how to conduct themselves.

The Medieval Universities shaped the landscape of the Middle Ages, literally! They became towns and even cities, trade hubs, and sanctuaries. They even made kings and popes tremble with fear and anger, like Wittenberg at the end of the Middle Ages.

Universities in Medieval Europe continued transforming into the Renaissance era as they became more diverse. In Northern Europe, universities catered to undergraduates in liberal arts. Theology remained a preeminent faculty for graduate studies. In Italy, universities offer medicine and law to doctoral students. Their structure allowed professors to research many fields, including humanities, medicine, law, and philosophy. These changes were part of the social transformation during the Renaissance and Reformation.

Fig. 3 - Bookcases in the University of Leiden library, Willem Swanenburgh, Johannes Woudanus, 1610