Research Topics

The Rise of the Medieval University and Heresy

Why did the medieval university make its appearance in the 13th century? What forces made it essential that students have an outlet for advanced study outside the Church? Why did the Church feel threatened by the Albigensians and Waldensians?

The High Middle Ages was a period of profound intellectual and religious change. Much of this change was stimulated by the rediscovery of Greek philosophic thought and the rise of the medieval university. Scholasticism became the world view of the Church -- reason and faith ought to go hand in hand. In terms of Christianity, change came from both inside and outside the Church. This was the great age of religious vitality, which found outlets in monastic reform, new religious orders, and heresy.

What forces were at work in the High Middle Ages that served as the foundation for the new world view known as Scholasticism?

• Medieval Students' Songs, c. 12th century
  These verses, meant to be sung rather than simply read, praise the pleasures of this world.



• Statutes of Robert De Courçon for Paris, 1215
  Robert De Courçon sets down a course of study in the arts at Paris and comments upon the books he studied.



• Statutes of Gregory IX, for the University of Paris, 1231
  Gregory's statutes have been called the Magna Carta of the University of Paris.



• University of Paris: Condemnation of Errors, 1241
  The University of Paris acted as expert witness regarding heretical opinions as affirmed by this list of eighteen errors found in the work of Peter Lombard.



• The Foundation of the University of Heidelberg (1386)
  This document sets down the provisions of the founding of the University of Heidelberg, to be patterned after the university at Paris.



• The Conversion of Peter Waldo (c.1218)
  A description relating how Peter Waldo, a wealthy merchant of Lyons, gave up everything for a life of preaching, poverty and good works.



• Bernard Gui on the Albigensians
  Heresy was treason against God and Church and in this document Gui shows how easily temporal authorities worked with the Church to expose heresies.