Parisian Scholars in the Early Fourteenth Century
A Social Portrait

A detailed study of the University of Paris in the late 1320s, using newly reconstructed documentation.

William J. Courtenay (Author)

9780521642125, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 25 March 1999

308 pages, 5 maps
23.6 x 15.9 x 2.5 cm, 0.635 kg

'This work provides a brilliant window into the academic community at Paris in 1329–30.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review

This study of the social, geographical and disciplinary composition of the scholarly community at the University of Paris in the early fourteenth century is based on the reconstruction of a remarkable document: the financial record of tax levied on university members in the academic year 1329–1330. Containing the names, financial level and often addresses of the majority of the masters and most prominent students, it is the single richest source for the social history of a medieval university before the late fourteenth century. After a thorough examination of the financial account, the history of such collections, and the case (a rape by a student) that precipitated legal expenses and the need for a collection, the book explores residential patterns, the relationship of students, masters and tutors, social class and levels of wealth, interaction with the royal court and the geographical background of university scholars.

List of maps and figures
Preface
Introduction: Paris in 1329
Part I. The Recovery and Context of a Document: 1. The computus of 1329–1330
2. Collectae and university finance
3. Precipitating event: the rape of Symonette
Part II. A window in a Lost World: 4. Academic space: the topography of the university community
5. Lodging and residential patterns
6. The sociology of the university community
7. The geographical origins of the university community
Conclusion
Part III. Biographical Register: Appendices
Select bibliography
Indexes.

Subject Areas: Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]