University Records and Life in the Middle Ages

249 Pages·1944·13.29 MB·English

by  Lynn Thorndike

U N I V E R S I T Y RECORDS
AN D LIFE in the Middle Ages
I By LYN N TH O R N D IK E,
professor of
HISTORY IN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Columbia University Press New York
1 9 4 4
THE PUBLICATION OF THIS VOLUME HAS BEEN AIDED BY A
GRANT FROM THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF LEARNED SOCIETIES
FROM A FUND PROVIDED BY THE CARNEGIE CORPORATION
OF NEW YORK
RECORDS OF CIVILIZATION — 5 0 AND
STUDIES. Edited under the Ausfices of the Department of
History, Columbia University
EDITOR
AUSTIN P. EVANS, Ph.D., Professor of History
ADVISORY BOARD
DINO BIGONGIARI, Da Ponte Professor of Italian
ROBERT HERNDON FIFE, L.H.D., Gebhard Professor of the Germanic
Languages and Literatures
CARLTON J. H. HAYES, Litt.D., Seth Low Professor of History
ROGER SHERMAN LOOMIS, B. Litt., Associate Professor of English
ROBERT MORRISON MacIVER, Litt.D., Lieber Professor of Political
Philosophy and Sociology
DAVID S. MUZZEY, Ph.D., Gouverneur Morris Professor Emeritus of History
A Wartime Book
This complete edition is produced JAMES T. SHOTWELL, LLD., Bryce Professor Emeritus of the History
in full compliance with the govern­
of International Relations; Director of the Division of Economics and
ment’s regulations for conserving
paper and other essential materials History, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
LYNN THORNDIKE, L.H.D., Professor of History
COPYRIGHT 1944 BY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS, NEW YORK WILLIAM L. WESTERMANN, L.H.D., Professor of Ancient History
Foreign agent: Oxford University Press, Humphrey Milford, Amen House,
ondon, E.C., 4, England, and B. I. Building, Nicol Road, Bombay, India
m a n u f a c t u r e d in th e u n i t e d states of AMERICA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction xiii
1 Rivalry of Teachers 3
2 How Bernard Drilled the Boys in Grammar at Chartres 7
3 An Early Reference to a Medical School at Montpellier 10
4 The Education of John of Salisbury 11
5 The Youth Movement 14
6 Literature versus Logic 15
7 John of Salisbury at Paris, 1164 18
8 Papal Defense of Student Privileges, 1170-1172 19
9 Decree of the Third Lateran Council, 1179 21
10 Foundation of the College de Dix-huit, 1180 21
11 An Invective against the New Learning 22
12 A Call to Constantinople, 1205 24
13 Professors of Theology at Paris Limited to Eight, 1207 25
14 The Condemnation of 1210 26
15 Rules of the University of Paris, 1215 27
16 Dominican Studies, 1228 30
17 A House for Poor Scholars Reformed, 1228 31
18 Invitation to Toulouse, 1229 32
19 Papal Regulations for the University of Paris, by
Gregory IX, April 13, 1231 35
20 The Books on Nature to Be Expurgated, 1231 39
21 An Official Version of the Decretals Issued 40
22 Buoncompagni da Signa on the New Rhetoric, 1235 41
23 Errors Condemned at Paris, 1241 47
24 Condemnation of the Talmud Renewed, 1244 48
25 Rules Concerning the Rental of Classrooms, Paris, 1245 51
26 Rules for Determinations in Arts, 1252 52
27 Against the Friars 56
28 Courses in Arts, Paris, 1255 64
29 Odofredus Announces His Law Lectures at Bologna 66
30 Papal Privilege to Salamanca, 1255 67
31 Study of Oriental Languages, 1256 68
32 Dominicans and Education, 1259 70
Viii TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS IX
33 Office of University Bedell, Paris 72 62 Letter from a Physician of Valencia to His Two Sons
34 Criticism of Universities by Humbert de Romans 73 Studying at Toulouse, 1315 154
35 Provision for Five Masters Who Know Flemish, 1266 74 63 Whether a Master Teaching Theology Should Be
36 Foundation and Regulation of the College of the Required to Know Canon Law? 161
Treasurer, 1268 and 1280 75 64 Reception of the Clementines at the University of
37 Criminal Clerks at Paris, 1269 Toulouse, December 22, 1317 162
38 Thirteen Errors Condemned by Stephen, Bishop of Paris, 65 Special Duties of the Rectors at Bologna 163
1270 80 66 Peciarii at Bologna 166
39 Various Rules of the Medical Faculty, Paris, 1270-1274 81 67 Dominican Legislation against Alchemy, 1323 168
40 Medical Restrictions upon Jews, Surgeons and Pharmacists, 68 Study of Grammar at Toulouse, 1328 169
Paris, 1271 83 69 Legislation of the French or Gallican Nation, Paris, 1328 169
41 Orthodoxy Enforced at Paris, 1272 8j 70 Alvarus Pelagius on the Vices of Masters 171
42 Early Statutes of the Sorbonne 88 71 Alvarus Pelagius on the Faults of Scholars 173
43 Paris Asks for the Bones and Unfinished Works of 72 Fourteenth Century Calendar of the University of Paris 175
Aquinas, 1274 98 73 University Holidays 188
44 Regulation of Booksellers, Paris, 1275 lOO 74 Hours of Classes 190
45 Limitation on Private Teaching, Paris, 1276 102 75 Academic Costume Regulated, Paris, 1339 191
46 Oaths of Those Incepting in A^s, about 1280 103 76 Hazing of Freshmen Forbidden, Paris, 1340 192
47 The University Defends an Injured Member, 1281 105 77 Statutes of the Faculty of Canon Law, Paris, October 12,
48 Assessment of Houses in Paris, 1282-1283 106 1340 193
49 Prices of Books at Paris: Exemplar and Pecia^ 1286 112 78 Occamist Errors Reproved 195
50 Masters to Keep a Record of Their Scholars, Paris, 1289 118 79 Attempt to Improve the Cluniac Scholars at Paris, April
51 A Scholar Divorced, Paris, 1290 119 25, 1344 197
52 Sale of Parchment at Paris, 1291 119 80 Disputations in the College de Sorbonne, 1344 a.d. 198
53 Plaint of the University of Paris, 1292-1316 123 81 Commendation of the Clerk: an Educational Treatise 201
54 Flemish Students at Paris and Orleans Not to Be Molested 82 Royal Ordinance against the Illicit Practice of Medicine
during the War, 1297 124 at Paris, December, 1352 235
55 Raymond Lull Urges the Study of Oriental Languages, 83 Method of Lecturing in the Liberal Arts Prescribed, Paris,
1298-1299 125 December 10, 1355 237
56 Arnald of Villanova Appeals from the Faculty of 84 Oaths and Statutes Customary in the Lower Schools of
Theology of Paris, 1300 128 Grammar of the Town, City, University, Suburbs and
57 The Faculty of Theology and the Process of the Templars, Banlieue of Paris, c. 1357 239
1308 133 85 Closing the Street of Straw at Night, May, 1358 241
58 A Student’s Colophon to His Report of a Course of 86 Servites Studying at Paris, 1363 243
Lectures, 1308 137 87 Statutes for All Faculties of the University of Paris 244
59 Pierre Dubois’ Scheme of Education, 1309 138 88 When Morning Lectures Are to Begin, Paris, May 18,
60 Statute of the Council of Vienne, 1312 149 1367 248
61 Academic Dress Regulated, Toulouse, 1314 150 89 Traveling Expenses for'Students in Grammar, 1369 249
X TABLE OF CO N TEN TS TABLE OF CO N TEN TS xi
90 Foundation of Two Fourteen-Year Scholarships, 1371 250 124 Teaching of Grammar at Toulouse, April 21, 1426 303
91 A Church Used for Medical Lectures, 1380 253 125 Assignment of Points for Examination in Theology,
92 Hours of Classes 254 Montpellier, 1429 306
93 Feasts of the Nations and the Three Kings, Orleans, 1382 255 126 QuodUbeta of 1429 and Before 307
94 Teaching Appointment Conditional on Receiving the 127 Student Responsibility 308
Doctorate 256 128 Getting a Degree 309
95 Only Christians Admitted, Perpignan, c. 1389 257 129 Proposed Transfer of Professor and Students from Bologna
96 The Transit of Learning to German Universities 257 to Ferrara, 1430 309
97 Recantation of Blasius of Parma, 1396 258 130 Dignity of a Dean Upheld, Paris, 1431 310
98 Renting of Peciae, Montpellier, 1396 259 131 Vacation of the Medical Faculty, Pavia, 1433 3”
99 Students Forbidden to Catch the Burghers’ Pigeons 260 132 Humanism at Pavia, 1434-1435 312
100 Statute against Oaths and Blasphemy, Heidelberg, 1398 260 133 A Proposal for Reform Quashed, Paris, 1434 313
lOI Magic Arts Condemned, Paris, 1398 261 134 Position of Surgeons at Paris, 1436 314
102 Salutati on Disputations 266 135 University Libraries of the Fifteenth Century 315
103 A Contest for the Best Lecture Halls 269 136 Certain Regulations of the Faculty of Medicine, Caen, 1439 321
104 An Assistant Master for the College de Navarre, Paris, 137 Foundation of the Fraternity of St. Sebastian, Avignon,
1404 272 1441 322
105 Student Fees at Bologna, 1405 273 138 A Student’s Record of His Academic Career, Pavia, 1441 323
106 Teachers of Grammar Excluded from Examinations in 139 A Contented Dean of Theology 328
Medicine 278 140 Action at Paris against Special Privileges for Friars 329
107 Texts in Arts and Medicine, Bologna 279 141 Student Life at Old Heidelberg 332
108 Astrology at Bologna, 1405 282 142 Reasons for Re-establishing a University at Ferrara 333
109 Dissection at Bologna 283 143 Academic Exercises at Ferrara 335
110 Surgery at Bologna, 1405 284 144 Decree against Ignorant School Teachers, Ferrara, 1443 337
111 Assignment of Points for Examination at Avignon 286 145 Student Amusements and Merrymakings at Ferrara, 1444 338
112 Absence from Disputation, Paris, 1409 288 146 Hiring a Teacher of Grammar, 1444 338
113 An Unlicensed Woman Surgeon, 1411 289 H7 Abuses at the University of Paris, 1444 341
114 Visits to Fencing Schools Forbidden, Heidelberg, 1415 291 148 Fernando of Cordova, Boy-wonder, Comes to Town, 1445 341
115 Lease of Classrooms, Paris, 1415 291 149 Condemnation of the Feast of Fools, Paris, March 12,1445 343
116 Lectures and Repetitions in Canon Law, 1416 293 150 Via antiqua and Via moderna at Heidelberg 346
117 Postponement of Academic Exercises, Paris, 1418 294 151 A CRse of Violence and Academic Discipline, Montpellier,
118 Law Advertising at Bologna 295 1455 348
119 Texts Required for A.B. Degree at Erfurt, 1420 296 152 Disposition of Classrooms in the Law School, Avignon,
120 Provision for Teaching Greek and Hebrew at Paris, 1421, 1461 350
1424, 1430 297 153 An Examiner Changes His Vote, Ferrara, 1465 351
121 Oaths Required of Apothecaries, Paris, 1422 298 154 Magic Books Condemned, Paris, 1466 351
122 Academic Itinerary, 142 2-142 7 299 155 Decree as to Lectures and Discipline, Heidelberg, 1466 352
123 Absences of Professors at Padua, 1424 301 156 An Academic Banquet 353
xii TABLE OF CO N TEN TS
157 Bible Study at Heidelberg, 1469 354
158 Defense of Nominalism 355
159 A Salary List, 1474 3^0
160 A Letter from Plague-Stricken Arezzo to a Law Student INTRODUCTION
at Bologna 3^3
A chronological arrangement of the passages here translated from
161 Latin to Be Used Rather than French, Orleans, 1484 364
university records and other sources has been adopted as the most
162 Regulation of the Bejaunium or Freshman Payment,
convenient, cumulative, and historically illuminating, although it in­
Valence 3^5
volves a separation and scattering of those concerned with a common
163 The Students of Ingolstadt to Conrad Celtes 366
164 Regulation of School Teachers, 1494 3^7 topic. On the other hand, there are many documents of a more general
165 Lecture Course in Ethics 3^9 nature, where any such single topic is inextricably merged with others.
The geographical distribution of our material is not a matter of much
166 Inspection of University Buildings, Heidelberg, 1512 370
consequence, since the medieval universities were international and
167 A Wood Fire for the Theological Students 371
universal rather than local or national, and also a good deal alike. I
168 Decree concerning Quodlibet Disputations, 1518 372
169 Education of Joachim Cureus at Wittenberg, Padua and have, however, made a fairly wide selection in an effort to introduce
Bologna, 1554-1558 373 as much variety and local interest as possible. But inasmuch as the
records for the university of Paris, especially for the earlier centuries,
170 Falloppia’s Lectures of 1557 37^
171 Amenities of Classical Controversy in the Sixteenth Century 378 are better preserved than those of Bologna or any other university,
172 Scholastic Career of W’olfgang Meurer (1513-1585) 379 and are ready to hand in the volumes of the Chartularium, I have made
this rather the backbone of the treatment, although seeking selections
173 A Judgment against a Student Reversed 3^8
from various other sources, both documentary and literary.
174 Student Life: Past and Present 39°
175 Lectures in Astronomy, 1642-1644 393 Of 176 items in all, 78 are from the Chartularium, 21 from Four­
176 Catalogue of Lectvires and Exercises Which the Professors nier’s edition of the statutes and privileges of other French universities.
of the University of Hesse-Schaumburg Will Hold Next Of these last, five concern Toulouse; four, Montpellier; three, Avi­
Semester from Michaelmas 1654 to Easter 1655 405 gnon; two each, Angers, Orleans, Perpignan, and Caen; one, Valence.
There are ten extracts from the Urkundenbuch for the university of
Appendix I. De commendatione cleri 409
Appendix IL Foundation and Location of Colleges at Paris in Heidelberg; seven, from Borsetti’s work on the university of Fer­
the Later Middle Ages 433 rara; eight, from Malagola’s edition of the Bologna statutes; five,
Index 449 from the Codice diflomatico of the university of Pavia; single selec­
tions, from the Montpellier Cartulaire, Dallari’s edition of the Bologna
faculty rolls, and Anstey’s Munimenta. This does not mean that these
Plan
are the only universities treated, since Salamanca, Padua, Erfurt,
Late Medieval Paris South of the Seine, Showing the Old Names Ingolstadt, Leipzig, Cracow, Wittenberg, Tubingen, and Hesse-
of Streets and the Colleges facing 448 Schaumburg are the themes of other selections.
From contemporary writers, as distinct from university records and
official documents, some twenty-five selections are taken from those
whose works have been printed. Of these John of Salisbury and An-
tonino, archbishop of Florence (1440-1459), are used most fre­
quently, while Pierre Dubois is quoted at most length. Aside from
XIV IN TR O D U CTIO N IN TRO D U CTIO N XV
these published authors, five hitherto unpublished manuscripts have lations as to school teachers in Paris, Angers and Ferrara, a grant of
been utilized, one for the longest passage of all. Four more selections traveling expenses to grammar-school boys who hoped to enter Mont­
are from articles in learned periodicals based upon manuscript mate­ pellier, the excluding of teachers of grammar from examinations in
rials. Yet other passages are drawn from old printed works which are medicine at Bologna, and the hiring of a teacher of grammar at Tre­
inaccessible in this country. viso (Selections 9, 45, 68, 84, 89, 106, 124, 144, 146, 164).
The medieval universities and their scholastic mode of instruction Humanism and the humanities are further considered in four pas­
survived with little change into early modern times. I have accord­ sages (6, 132, 163, 171), reflecting humanistic sentiment in the twelfth
ingly included a few selections regarding teachers, students and lec­ century and classical scholarship of the sixteenth, as well as Italian
tures in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Approximately the and German humanism of the fifteenth century. Four selections il­
same number, eleven, are devoted to the twelfth century; 45 to the lustrate the medieval interest in Greek and oriental languages from
thirteenth, and 46 to the fourteenth century; 63—many of which, how­ the thirteenth to the fifteenth century (31, 55, 60, 120). Flemish
ever, are very brief—to the fifteenth century. The longest single selec­ masters and students appear in two extracts (35, 54), and the French
tion, On Commendation of the Clerk, coming as it does apparently language in one (161). Of eight passages relating to theology (13, 42,
soon after the Black Death and William of Ockham, constitutes a sort 56, 57, 63, 139, 157, 167), one concerns a dean, two are about pro­
of landmark or watershed, dividing our period and volume roughly fessors, two about the faculty of theology at Paris as a whole and its
into two halves. The Latin text of this hitherto unpublished educa­ relation to Arnald of Villanova and to the Templars, two concerning
tional treatise is reproduced as an appendix, and another is devoted to theological students at the Sorbonne, and one regarding Bible study
some account of the colleges at Paris in the later middle ages. at Heidelberg. Also closely related to theology are ten items bearing
Since our selections are presented in chronological order, it may be upon the enforcement of orthodoxy and the condemnation of errors
well to preface them here by a topical summary, noting some of the (14, 20, 23, 24, 38, 41, 78, 97, loi, 154), including the lists of errors
chief subjects treated and the passages bearing upon each of these. of 1210, 1241, and 1270 at Paris, the enforcement of orthodoxy there,
While the translations deal primarily with the records of the medi­ the recantation of Blasius of Parma at Pavia, the expurgation of the
eval universities and with the life and thought of those attending Aristotelian works of natural philosophy, the action taken against the
them, some attention has been given to preparatory schools and to the Talmudy against Occamist errors, and against the magic arts and magic
study of grammar which, although sometimes taught at universities, books. Of eleven selections in the field of law (21, 22, 29, 63, 64, 74,
was normally acquired in grammar schools and by boys of an age when, 77, 115, 116, 118, 152), seven have to do with canon law, three with
as in the case of the pupils of Bernard of Chartres (Selection 2), corporal civil, one with both; three concern Bologna and three, Paris. Medi­
punishment was considered appropriate and necessary. As Rashdall cine and the related fields of surgery and pharmacy are the theme of
has pointed out, it was seldom or never resorted to in the case of fifteen items (3, 39, 40, 62, 82, 91, 107, 109, iio, 113, 121, 131, 134,
candidates for university degrees. But it is difficult to draw any hard 136, 170). These present faculty regulations, texts, lectures and class­
and fast line between university instruction and previous preparation rooms, dissections and vacations, control of surgeons and apothecaries
for it, as the treatise. On Commendation of the Clerk (Selection 81) by the medical faculties, proceedings against illicit practitioners, fa­
well illustrates, and either is illuminated by the other, as that treatise therly advice as to one’s health. Universities concerned are Mont­
also attests. Both are included in university records as they have pellier, Paris, Toulouse, Bologna, Pavia, Padua and Caen. The rivalry
reached us and as they have been published in modern editions. Both between faculties of law and medicine is illustrated by Selection 103.
figure in the educational scheme of Pierre Dubois (Selection 59). I Three items deal with the curriculum in arts for the A.B. degree (28,
have therefore included here the decree of the Third Lateran Coun­ 107, 119)" Aside from the errors already mentioned, five passages
cil, passages on the study and teaching of grammar at Toulouse, regu- illustrate scholastic philosophy (126, 150, 158, 165, 168): two treat
XVI INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION xvii
of Quodlibeta, the others, of nominalism, via antiqua et via moderna, 27,32, 57,67, 79, 86,140), the majority have to do with the mendicant
and courses in ethics. Five more have to do with Aristotle, alchemy, friars, the others with Cluniacs, Servites and Templars.
astrology and astronomy (14, 20, 67, 108, 175). Nine selections may It should have already become clear that our records and selections
be said to cover the general field of education (i, 4, 5, 7, 53, 59, 81, are not merely or even mainly institutional and impersonal. Many a
169, 172), illuminated by glimpses of the educational experience of great name and well-known personality moves and speaks or is spoken
Abelard and John of Salisbury in the twelfth century and of Cureus of in them: Abelard, Anselm of Havelberg, Bernard of Chartres,
and Meuer in the sixteenth, as well as by the more theoretical schemes John of Salisbury, Peter of Blois, Buoncompagni, Odofredus, Robert
of Pierre Dubois and the author on De commendatione cleri in the of Sorbonne, William of Auvergne,. William of St. Amour, Humbert
fourteenth century. Four extracts are devoted to criticism of con­ de Romans, Alvarus Pelagius, Augustinus Triumphus of Ancona,
temporary learning and education (11, 34, 70, 71) from the pens of Pierre Dubois, Thomas Aquinas, Arnald of Villanova, William of
Stephen of Tournai, Humbert de Romans, and Alvarus Pelagius. Ockham, Jean Buridan, Blasius of Parma, Antonino of Florence, Con­
To university statutes and academic regulations in general five rad Celtes, Falloppia the anatomist, and yet others. Besides the errors
selections are given over (15, 19, 69, 87, 133), while the following are of individuals, the experiences of individuals, the schemes of individ­
concerned with the more specific aspects indicated; administration (50), uals, and the criticisms by individuals which have already been men­
determinations (26), inception (46), disputations (80, 102, 112), lec­ tioned, the selections comprise students’ jottings and records of their
tures (176), repetitions (116), points and examinations (m , 125, activities (58,122, 138), and personal letters (6, 7, 62, 139, 160).
153), degrees (92, 128), professorial salaries (1J9), student fees In lieu of further introductory statement as to educational conditions
(105)', scholarships (90), officials such as the rector, dean and bedell in general in the middle ages and the history of the universities, the
respectively (6j, 130, 139, 33). Nine passages have to do with houses following reading may be suggested to those desiring so to orient
and colleges, their foundation, regulation and reform (10, 17, 36, 42, themselves: my “Elementary and Secondary Education in the Middle
48, 79, 80, 104, 167). Four deal with classrooms (25, 103, 115, 152); Ages,” Speculum, XV (October, 1940), 400-408, and Professor
others, with the university buildings in general (166), the library Charles Homer Haskins’ little book on The Rise of the Universities^
(135), and the famous Street of Straw (85). There are six items about New York, 1923. For fuller reference as to technic^ terms or the his­
the hours of classes and mode of lecturing (74, 83, 88, 92, 117, 155) at torical setting of particular events and documents the indices to Hast­
Montpellier, Paris, Perpignan, Avignon, and Heidelberg. Five ex­ ing RashdaU’s three volume work, The Universities of Eurofe in the
tracts are respectively devoted to the university calendar, vacations, Middle Ages^ will usually prove helpful.
religious holidays, postponements, and absences of professors (72, 131,
' Original edition, Oxford, 1895; posthumous new edition by F. M. Powicfce and
73, 117, 123). Five passages treat of booksellers, stationers and copy­ A. B. Emden, 1936.
ing manuscripts (44, 49, 52, 66, 98). Two are concerned with aca­
demic costume (61, 75), but the subject is touched upon in several
others. This, however, is more or less true of all particular topics,
which are included also in the more general accounts.
Twenty-one selections are occupied with varied aspects of student
life, good or bad, religion, recreation, dissipation and violence (37,
47, 51, 76, 93, 99, 100, 114, 122, 127, 137, 141, 145, 147, 148, 149,
151, 156, 162, 173, 174). Five items are about calls or migrations to
new places and universities (12, 18, 96, 129, 143). Four are papal (8,
19, 21, 30). Of eight passages concerned with religious orders (16,
U N I V E R S I T Y R E C O R D S
AND LIFE in the Middle Ages
R IV A L R Y OF T E A C H E R S
Petri Abaelardi Historia calamitatum, Migne, P'atrologia latina,
vol. 178, cols. 114-26.
There is no more familiar, and perhaps no more important, figure in the
intellectual history of the twelfth century than Abelard (i079-1142). His
name has often been connected both with the origin of universities in west­
ern Europe and with the development of scholastic method in Latin. In the
following extract from a letter telling the story of his misfortunes he gives
details as to his own early studies and teaching which illustrate the rivalry
between individual teachers that preceded the formation of scholastic gUds
and university faculties.
. . . Moreover I had a father who had some training in letters
before he put on the trappings of war. Wherefore later he grew so
fond of literature that he was disposed to have all his sons instructed
in letters before they were trained in arms. And so ’twas done. As
therefore he held me his firstborn the more dear, so much the more
pains did he take with my education. For my part, the more extensively
and readily I progressed in literary studies, the more ardent became
my devotion to them, and I was allured into such a passion for them
that, surrendering to my brothers the pomp of military glory and my
hereditary prerogative as firstborn, I totally abdicated the court of
Mars to be received into the bosom of Minerva. And since I preferred
the panoply of dialectical arguments to all the documents of phi­
losophy, I exchanged other arms for these and esteemed the conflict
of disputation more than the trophies of war. Whereupon traversing
various provinces, disputing wherever I had heard that the pursuit of
this art was flourishing, I became an emulator of the Peripatetics.
Finally I came to Paris, where already this discipline was accus­
tomed to flourish most, to William forsooth of Champeaux as my
teacher, who was then prominent in this field actually and by reputa­
tion. Tarrying with him a time I was at first welcomed but later cor­
dially disliked, when I tried to refute some of his opinions and often
ventured to argue against him and sometimes seemed superior in dis-