Treatise of Religion and Learning, Book 2 · Chapter 10 – Chapter 11
CHAP. X. Of the Vniversities of France.
FRance is famous for Corn Wine and Salt.
It hath bred many learned men, Prosper of Aquitain, Gallia multis laudum & variis nominibus foelix habetur, sed uno beneficio naturae praecipuè beata, quod clarissimis fluviis in omnes mundi partes profluentibus est irrigua: Pado illo fluviorum Rege in orientem, Rhodano in meridiem, Sequana in occidentem, Rheno in Septentrionem. Sed Gallia Parisiensis Academiae Disciplinis & artibus longè foe…icissima, longéque beatissima fuerit. Longè enim latiores longioresque tractus habent ista disciplinarum flumina, & plures terras Nationes que complectuntur, Ea enim Parisiensis Academiae fama est per universam Latini nominis Europam, ut nemo satis eruditus esse videatur, nisi qui Lutetiae didicerit: haec Academia non urbis unius, sed universi orbis Academia est. Ramus Prooem. Reform. Paris. Academ.Irenaeus the renowned Bishop of Lions, Cassianus, Bernard Abbot of Clarevalle, Peter Lombard Bishop of Paris, John Gerson Chancellour of that University.
Ausonius the Poet, Hottoman and Gotfredus the Civilians, Duarenus the Canonist, Barn. Brissonius the great Antiquary, Isaac Casaubon that renowned Philologer, Budaeus that great Master of the Greek Language, Thuanus the Historian, Laurentius the Anatomist.
Of later time,
Claudius Espencaeus a Sorbon Doctor, Cardinal Peron, Genebrard the Historian, Petavius.
For Protestants, Calvin, Beza, Farel, Viret, Danaeus, Peter du Moulin, Fr. Junius, Chamier, Philip de Mornay Lord of Phessis. Daeillè.
Some reckon up sixteen Universities in France, some more.Sedecem amplissimi regni Academiae, Parisiorum, Aureliorum, Biturigum, Andium, Pictonum, Rhenorum, Divionensium, Cadomorum, Nannerum, Burdegalensium. Aqueensium, Gratianopolitanorum, Valentinensium, Tholosarum, Cadurcorum, Nitiobrigum, Avenionem adderem nisi Pontificis quam regis esse mallet. Rami Scholae Mathemat. lib. 3.
Paris, Poictiers, Lions, Angiers, Avignion, Orleance, Bourges, Cane, Rhemes, Burdeaux, Tholouse, Nismes, Mompellier, Bisanson, Dole, Nantes, Grenoble, Valens, Avenion, and Massils, which is the ancientest of them all, and founded by the Grecians.
In the Province of the Gauls there was a particular Countrey called Parisium, in which Julius Caesar in his Commentaries of the warres made with the Gauls, speaking of it, cals it Lutetiam Parisiorum, meaning that this Town was set on Parisium. Pasquier Recherch. de la France l. 9. c. 2.
Paris.
Paris (the Metropolis) is the first and most ancient University of France.Lutetia Academiarum omnium regina. Erasm. Epist. Verè dici potest omnium Scholarum quas post homines natos floruisse memoriae proditum est, hanc unam esse praestantissimam. Rami Proo…m reformandae Paris. Acad. p. 457. O Lutetiae Parisiorum decus, Galliarum solatium, sedem universo hominum generi concessam, Templum religionis, aram legum, medicinae portum, arcem ingenuarum disciplinarum, gloriosissimum bonarum, laudandarumque rerum omnium domicilium: huc Indorum gymnosophystae, magi Persarum, Vates Chaldaeorum, Graecorum sapientes, sacerdotes Aegyptiorum, omniaque omnium terrarum miracula, huc tres orbis dominae, principiesque linguae convenerunt, & commune sibi hospitium domestico usu, & familiari consuetudine fecerunt. Pet. Rami Dialect. praef. 1.
L' Academie de Paris estant, tant pour son antiquitè, pour le nombre d'escholiers, que pour l'opinion de doctrine, la premiere de toutes les universitez qui estoyent au monde. Preface D' Antoine Du Verdier Sur Sa Bibliotheque.
It was called Lutetia from lutum, which signifies dirt, because it abounded with dirt and mire, and the French have a Proverb, That a thing stains like the dirt of Paris, Il gaste comme la fange de Paris.
The Emperour Charles the Great did institute this famous University at the earnest suite and instigation of Alcninus, Lutetia duodecim millia domorum continet intra muros, praeter eos vicos qui sunt in pomoeriis, quorum capacitas longe urbem ipsam dicitur superare. Domos autem illas no putaveris casas. Sunt enim plurimae quae aliquot hominum millia capere queant, in quibus scientiarum omnium, trium linguarum cultus, Eloquentiae exercitationes, superant auditorum fidem. Scalig. De Subtil. ad Card. exercit CCLX. Lutetia urbs praestans inter omnes Europae multis nominibus, suburbiis etiam decem adeò amplis ut horum alia oertare queant cum amplis urbibus Italiae. Neand. Orbis Terrae Partium Succincta explicatio, part. 1.whose Scholar he had been in the year of Salvation almost 791. so Ramus and Middendorpe, Parisiensis, Patavina, & Ticinensis Academiae Carolum magnum parentem suum appellant Papyr. Masson. Annal. l. 2.
Vtcunque se res habeat satis constat Anglos primos Lutetiae bonas artes docuisse. Polyd. Verg. Hist. Anglic. l. 5.
Pasquier de Recherches de la France. lib. 9. cap. 4. seems to deny that Charles the Great was the founder of this University, and in the 5th and 6th Chapters of that Book, he shews his own opinion about it.
He saith there (lib. 3. cap. 29.) that Peter Lombard laid the first stone of the University of Paris.
Lewis the 9th Philip the 6th. Charles the 6th.The Kings of France have beautified it from time to time with many sumptuous edifices, adorned it with many high and noble priviledges, and endued it with many rich and princely revenues.
Some speak of a hundred Colledges there built all of costly marble-stone, for the use of Students.
Lutetiae 54. Collegia existunt, eaque omnia ferè ab Ecclesiasticis condita vel locupletata, quot & quanta in ulla alia orbis Academia vix quispiam notaverit. Geneb. Chronol. l. 4.Others mention but fifty four or fifty two Colledges, whereof fourty are of little use, and in the rest the Students live at their own charges, there being no indowment laid unto any of them, except those two, the Sorbonne, and the Colledge of Navarre.
1. That of the Sorbonists.
Le Theatre Des Antiquites De Paris Par Jacques Du Breul.The King St Lewis by the Counsel of Robert of Sorbonne (which took his sirname, as they say, from the place of his Nativity) his Almoner and Confessour, resolved to erect a Colledge of Divines, which retains the name of Sorbonne. The most famous Doctors in Divinity have studied in this Colledge. The Pope Clement the 4th confirmed the foundation of this Colledge.
Theologi Parisienses primum totius Europae locum eo genere sibi vendicant, duo habent praecipuè Collegia, Sorbonam & Navarram, eoque conf…uere solent ex omnibus propè gentibus doctrinae percipiendae causa. Sleid. Comment. lib. 4.He that answers there continueth from morning to night.
II. The Colledge of Navarre was founded by Joan Queen of France and Navar in the year of Grace 1304. She inriched likewise this Colledge with an excellent Library.
The greatest part of the young Princes, Lords and Gentlemen in France are customarily nourished and instructed in this Colledge rather then another, as well for its pleasant situation and neatnesse, as because of its royal foundation.
Petrus de Aliaco Chancellour of Paris hath bestowed so much on this Colledge, that he is esteemed as a second Founder.
Franciscus primus Rex Gulielmo Budaeo & Joanne Bellaio hortantibus ad addendum Colophonemiis, qúae in Pacifiensi Academia desiderabantur, destinaro aureorum ducatorum honoracio Regios linguarum protessores inssimuit Hebraicae quidem Franciscum Vatablum, Graecè autem Petrum Danesium Parisiensem. Geneb. Chronol. l. 4.Francis of Valois King of France, anno Dom. 1530. did send for sundry learned Professours of the Greek and Hebrew Tongues, unto whom he allowed liberall exhibitions, unto which he added afterward (being moved thereunto by the counsell and perswasions of William Budie and John Bellay, two singularly learned men) the profession of Physick, Philosophy, and the Mathematicks.St Deuis for Frame. See Pasquiers Recherches de la France l. 9. c. 2.
Dionysius Areopagita first taught in this City the principles of Religion.
Clodoveus primus religionem Christianam in Franco Gallorum principatu fundavit. Thuanus Hist. Tom. 3. l. 73.
The Kings Readers and Professours in the Greek Tongue in the University of Paris from the year 1529.Viri doctrina multa & varia literis & linguis eruditis, praecipuis & variis in Academia Parisiana illustres docuere & floruere. Pettus Lombardus Episcopus Parisiensis, qui quod de sententiis & testimoniis patrum explicarionem omnium capicum doctrinae Ecclesiae scripsisset, venerabili nomine Magister sententiarum cognominatus fuit, Joannes Gerson, Cancellarius Parisiensis Theologus, qui Concilio Constantiensi interfuit, cum Joannes Hus cum socio constantissimo M. Hieronymo à Praga exureretur. Gulielmus Budaeus, Carolus Molinaeus, Andreas Tiraquellus, Jacobus Sylvius, Gulielmus Postellus, Franciscus Vatablus, Adrianus Tarnelus, Dionysius Lambinus, Petrus Ramus, Robertus Stephanus viri doctrina, sapientia at que literis praestantissimi ac nobilissimi, & quidam alii. Neand. Orb. Ter. Part. Succinct. Explicat. part. 1.
Petrus Danesius, Johannes Auratus, Jacobus Tusanus, Petrus Gallandius, Adrianus Turnebus, Dionysius Lambinus, Ludovicus Regis, Georgius Critonus Scotus Natione, Nicolaus Borbonius, and others.
The Kings Readers and Professours in the Hebrew Tongue in Paris from the year 1529.
Franciscus Vatablus, Johannes Mercerus, Gilberius Genebrardus, Agathius Guidacerius, Rodolphus Baynus Anglus, Johannes Quinquarborens, Franciscus Jordanus, Petrus Victor Palma Cajetanus, and others.
The Kings Readers and Professours in the Mathematicks in Paris from the year 1533.
Orontius Fineus, Johannes Merlierus, Gulielmus Postellus, Joannes Pena, Ramus his Scholar, Petrus Forcadellus, Johannes Bullingerus.
The Kings Readers and Professours in the Latine Tongue, or Eloquence in Paris from the year 1534.
Bartholomaeus Latomus, Leodegarius de Quercu, Fredericus Morellus, Joannes Passeratius, Theodorus Marcilius.
The Kings Readers and Professours in Philosophy in Paris from the year 1562.
Franciscus Vicomeratus an Italian, and a great Philosopher, Petrus Ramus, Jacobus Marius, and others.
The Kings Readers and Professours in Physick in Paris from the year 1543.
Vidus Vidius, Jacobus Silvius, Jacobus Goupylus, Ludovicus Duretus, Joannes Duretus, Joannes Faber, Joannes Riolanus, Master to Sir Theodore Miram, Claudius Carolus.
Poictiers, Pictavia.
Poictiers is the Metropolis of the Earldom of Poictou, for Antiquity, not inferiour to any Town of France, second to Paris, onelyonly in greatnesse, power and majesty.
In this City hath long flourished a most learned University,Andreas Tiraquellus was Governour of it. for the Civil-Law chiefly, of great fame and authority in degree and preheminence next to Paris.
Scaliger in his Cities thus speaks of it,
Si studium est animae: veniunt à corpore vires;
Galliaque à meritis poscit nerumque sibi:
Haec studiis, aliae belli exercentur amore.
Pictavium est animus, caetera corpus erunt.
It was erected under Charles the 7th King of France, and confirmed by Pope Eugenius the 4th.
We read in the Ecclesiastical Histories, that St Hilary called the Apostle of Aquitaine, first revealed unto this people the light of the Gospel, and became the first Bishop of Poictiers, his excellent writings sufficiently testifie his singular wisdom and learning.
Joannes Capnion and Christophorus Longolius were Professors here.
Lions.
The Arms of the City are a Lion, whence the name of the City in French Lyon.Lugdunum. Anno Dom. 830.
In this City flourished an Academy of great fame and celebrity, which hath sent forth into the world many excellent men, renowned for their great learning and holinesse of life, as Irenaeus and Eucherius both Archbishops of Lions.
Hic claruit Joannes Gerson, eam exernavit Petrus Toletus, Bartholomaeus Argenterius, aliique magni nominis viri. Swertii Athen. Belg.This City is famous for John Waldus learned in the Scriptures, who opposed the Pope and his Doctrine, whence the Waldenses called by some Pauperes De Lugduno, the poor men of Lions.
It was a Colony of the Romans. They erected a University here near the Church, and consecrated it to Minerva, Eloquence was chiefly adorned, and the youth was much exercised in learning it.
Palleat, ut nudis pressit qui calcibus anguem,
Aut Lugdunensem rhetor dictarus ad aram.Juv. Sat.
Angiers.
It is the Metropolis of the Dukedom of Aniou.
Andegavum Vinum album celebratissimae est bonitatis: le vin d' Aniou. Jodoc. Sincer. Itinerar. Gal. Non ingrata fuit Academia in educandis jurisconsultis magni nominis, qui fuerunt Lazarus Bayfius, Franc. Balduinus, Eguinarius Baro, Johannes Bodinus (aliquibus, joce, puto, dictus Andius sine bono) Parliamenti Parisiens. advocatus & alii. Golni…ai Itinerarium Bellico-Gallicum.A publick University was in this City erected by Lewis the second about that time that Rupertus Phaltsgrave of Rheine founded Heidelberg in Germany, which was about the year 1346. Others will have it to be founded in the year 1362. at which time Casimire erected Cracon in Polonia.
It flourisheth in the study of the Latine especially.
Henry Valoise Duke of Aniou, brother to King Charles the ninth, not long since with much industrious care, laboured to augment and restore the same: the which good work that he might the better perform, he with great munificence invited thither sundry excellently learned Scholars: amongst the which was Francis Baldwin, who therein to his everlasting memory did establish the profession of the Civil-Law.
Bodine came out of this University.
Avignion.
I is an ancient City of Prouuence, situated on the bank of Rhodanus, wherein is an University of long continuance.
Pope John the 22. transferred the Apostolick seat from Rome unto this City, after whom it remained there 74 years, or thereabout.
The City and Church of Avignion are at this day immediately subjected to the Popes of Rome, who first became Lords thereof, by means of a certain Neapolitane Queen, who being indebted to the Church of Rome, resigned this City to the Bishops thereof, and his Successours for ever.
His Commentaries on the Civil-Law. Aemilius Ferretus also taught here. In Collegio Jurisconsultorum Cathedrae inscriptum notabis: Sessio Aemilii Ferreti: Peritum erno, imperitum dedecore. Jodoc. Sincer. Itinerar. Gal.Paulus Castrensis a Lawyer, by sundry learned works he wrote, much enobled this University.
Andreas Alciatus coming into France was hired (as himself in an Oration he made to the Scholars of Tycinum confesseth) for six hundred Crowns to be a publick Reader in this University. He taught the Law here.
Orleance.
It is a rich and plentifull City placed on the bank of the River Loire.
Some ancient Historiographers write,Aurelia. Vinum quod ex circumiacente agro colligitur generosissimis Galliae accensetur Sanitati tamen proficuum non creditur. Sic ut etiam Pincerne regio hoc Principi suo propinare vetitum prohibeatur. Jodoc. Sinc. Itinerar. Gal. that the foundation of this City was laid by Aurelian the Emperour, in the year 276. and from him was called Aurelia, which name unto this day it retaineth. Others say, it was onelyonly enlarged by him.
In this City was erected an University by Philip le Beau King of France, in the year from our Saviours Nativity 1312. wherein the Civil-Law is with such learning and admiration professed, that this Academy hath been often of grave and learned Writers, entituled the nurse or mother thereof. It enjoyeth the same priviledge with Tholouse.
The Maidens here especially labour to adorn the French Tongue,They call it Pindarizer. and they strive so to excell in it with an emulation, that they boast that they imitate Pindar.
Bourges.
It is a City in France of great fame, rich, spacious, and much frequented.
Some say, it was called Byturus quasi Bituris, from two ancient Towers, which they affirm to have been in this City erected by two brethren, which there together raigned.
T…ribus à binis inde vocor Bituris.
In this City is a most glorious University, and so much admired of all learned Authors, that whensoever they have occasion to write thereof, they call it,Academiam habet celeberrimam, & cul vix ulla totius Galliae par. Erecta sub regno Ludovici, cui Sancti nomen inditam. Docuerunt hic jurisprudentiam Andraeus Alciatus, Eguinarius Baro, Petrus Rebussus, Franciscus Balduinus, Fr. Duarenus, Antonius Contius, Hugo Donellus, Fr. Hotomanus, Jacobus Cuiacius, Joh. Mererius. Jodoc. Sinc. Itinerar. Gal. The ornament of Letters, and habitation of the Muses. It was many years since founded by a certain Duke of Burges, but after in continuance of time falling to decay, and being almost utterly extinct, it was again restored by sundry Kings of France. It was authorized and endued with many great priviledges and high prerogatives by Pope Paulus the 2d of that name.
Here Alciate, Rebuffus, Duarenus, Hotoman, Bonellus and Cuiacius (famous Lawyers) lived and taught with great applause.
Cane.
An University was erected at Cane in Normandy, upon this occasion.Academia Cadomensis. Henry the 5th King of England, who subdued the Kingdom of France, and left the title to his posterity after many great and glorious Conquests atchieved against the French King, he at last bereaved him of Normandy, in the year 1418. In token and memory of which victory, as an eternal Trophy and Monument of his glory, he caused to be laid in Cane the foundation of this University.
The Archbishop of Dublin was the first Reader of Divinity there.
Here now lives Bochart the learned French Divine.
Rhemes.
It is a goodly City, and the Metropolis of Champaigne, wherein not long since was erected an University by the Prince Charles Guise, Cardinal of Lorain, Archbishop and Duke of Rhemes, whose glory and renown daily more and more encreaseth, by reason of the Arts so learnedly there professed.
S. Remigius was Bishop of this City, a man of holy conversation, and excellently learned, as it evidently appeareth by the Commentaries which he wrote upon the Old and New Testament. He baptized Clodovaeus a mighty and puissant King of France, together with Chotisdis his wife, daughter to the King of Burgundy, he died in the year 498.
The French Kings are anointed at Rhemes with the oyl wherewith St Remigius had anointed Clodoveus the first Christian King of France.
Burdeaux.
It is the head City of Aquitane.
In this City hath long flourished a most renowned University commonly called the School of Aquitaine, Gymnasium Aquitanicum per excellentiam vocatur, quòd in nulla alia Aquiraniae Academia omne artium genus publicè tradatur. Europaei orbis Academiae.where the Arts are publikely taught and professed.
Here Ausonius that famous Poet was born and educated.
Tholouse.
Pope John the 22 was the first Institutor of the University therein, which as it was erected not long after Paris, so doth it enjoy the same priviledges that heretofore have been granted to Paris.
There was said in times past to have been in this City a Temple, wherein were commonly reserved in secret vaults and dungeons under ground, as Possidonius saith, 15000 talents of gold, which if any man had taken, he shortly after came to some unfortunate end: From whence proceedeth the Proverb, applied commonly to those whose attempts are ever unfortunate and without success, Aurum babet Tolosanum.
Nismes.
It is called by Ptolomy, Pemponias Mela; Strabo and others, Nemausus; it is an ancient City in Dolphine, wherein was lately erected an University.
Mompelliers.
Mons Pessulanus. Academia Mons peliensis Medecinae studiis toto orbe celeberrima. Ex Parisiensi scholâ prodierunt Fernelius, Hollerius, Ludovicus Duretus, Ruellius, Andreas Vesalius, Heurnius, Valetius, Jacobus Sylvius, Riolanus uterque. Ex Monspeliensi, Gentilis, insignis Avicennae commentator, Falco, Argenterius, Dalechampius, Rondeletius, Valeriola, Jacobus Fontanus, Laurentius Joubertus, Andreas Laurentius, insignis Anatomes scriptor. Primrosii academia Mons peli…sis.A City in Dolphiny not far distant from the Mediteranian sea.
An University was therein erected (as some Writers affirm) in the year of our Lord 1196. which afterward was endued with many priviledges by Pope Vrban the fifth, who layed the foundation of a goodly house called Popes Colledge.
There have famous Physitians proceeded out of Paris and this University.
Bisanson.
It is the Metropolis of Burgandy.
In the year of salvation 1540. by the authority of Pope Julius the 3d, and the Emperour Charles the 5th a new University was therein erected, which hath exceedingly since flourished.
Dole.
This is also a City in Burgundy, very strong and opulent.
An University is therein of great continuance, wherein among many other sciences the Civil Law is most Learnedly read and professed.
Carolus Molinaeus here publickly taught the Law.
Geneva.
Collegium inaccessum ne relinquas & intres quoque bibliothecam, in qua ostendentur tibi Biblia Gallica ante 300, & quod excurrit annos versa. Caeterum urbs Mercurialis, viget que in primis negotiatio serica. Quin & libraria negotiatione nobilitatissima est. Jodoc. Sinc. Itinerar. Gall.It is a famous Town in Savoy of very great Antiquity.
The situation of it is pleasant and the Country fertile.
There is a Library of ancient and rare Books, the French Bible translated 300 years since.
The inhabitants generally are addicted to the more pure and Reformed Religion, thence it is the refuge and asylum of the afflicted exiles of Christ.
For the Politick Government, this Common-wealth is free from all Dominion, and it obtained this liberty from Charles the 4th Emperour.
There have been many Learned men here, Peter Viret, William Farell, John Calvin, Antony Sadeel, Petrus Cevallerias, Cornelius Bertram, Bucane, Fredericke Spanheme.Theodore Beza, Simon Goulartius, Antonias Falus, John Deodate Professor of Divinity and the Hebrew Tongue, Isaac Casaubone the Kings Professor for the Greek.
CHAP. XI. Of the Vniversities of Polonia, Prussia and Lituania, Bohemia and Moravia.
Craconia.
IT is the Metropolis of Polonia.
An Academy was instituted in this City by Casemire the second, in the year of salvation 1361. which afterward, viz. in the year 1400. was by Vladislaus, at the instant intercession of Hedvigis his Queen ratified and confirmed with the Popes authority.
The University is not in the principall City, but in that part which lieth on the other side of the river, and is named from the first Founder thereof Cazimira: Therein are two goodly Colledges, in the one is professed Philosophy and Divinity, in the other Physick and the Civil Law; the other inferiour studies are there also learnedly taught with great diligence of the Readers.
Posnania.
An University was erected in Posne of late years by Sigismond the King of that Nation, and confirmed by Pope Clement the eight.
The Jesuites enjoy therein a goodly Colledge, wherein they profess Theology, Philosophy, and the other inferiour studies.
Koningsperge.
Mons Regius, commonly called Koningsperge, Mons Regius, patria Joannis de Monte Regio summi Mathematici, cujus extant subtilissima commentaria in Almagestum Ptolomoei. Neand. Geog. parte 12.is the Metropolis of the great Dukedome of Prussia.
Albertus Marquess of Brundeburg first erected in Koaningsperge the University which hath ever since, even untill this present time, continually flourished.Anno Domini 1544.
Vilna,
Commonly called the Wilde, is a large and apulent City in the great Dukedom of Lithuania, whereof it is the Metropolis.
Near unto the Church of St John the Baptist, was lately erected a goodly and spacious Colledge, possessed by the Jesuites.
The Universities of Bohemia and Moravia.
Prage.
It is a renowned City, lying in the center of Bohemia.
This School by reason of the access of Germanes thither, grew to be exceedingly frequented, and so flourished untill the springing up of Wicliffe. Not long after him arose amongst them Hierom of Prage, and John Hus, so named from a little Village wherein he was born called Hus, which in the Bohemian Language signifieth a Goose.
Olmuts.
It is a fair and ample City in Moravia, now annexed to the Crown of Bohemia.
The University there seems to have been erected lately since the coming thither of the Jesuites, for whom there was built a magnificent and sumptuous Colledge at the Popes charges.