Changes in Writing and Education
Before we can begin to understand how vastly Universities changed the whole of Europe we have to consider what Europe was before they existed. In the early years of the middle ages the only people who went to schools were future clergy men, with exceptions few and far between (Guisepi, n.d.).
With the University came a much easier way to access an education. All one needed was the basic understanding of the Latin language and grammar (Cobban, 1999, p.154). With the emphasis now placed on education the literacy rate in all social classes rocketed upward (Cobban, 1999, p.122). In school rooms men and boys of all ages would share a school bench to learn because there was no difference made between adulthood and childhood. The only thing preventing boys under the age of 14 from entering university was the University Statute, backed up by the Church, who said no one under the age of 14 could take an oath for himself because he was not properly enlightened (Cobban, 1999, p.21). Women were permitted to enter Notre-Dame in the early 12th century as well, though it was only those coming from nobility (Guisepi, n.d.).
Additionally in the late 13th century there was a hot debate between Philosophy and Christian Theology. Were the two one in the same or should they be split into separate disciplines? The University of Paris was at the center of this debate for years. Many of Thomas Aquinas’ propositions were turned down by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the time, causing even more debate. The students were naturally drawn to this area of subject because of the high tension surrounding it (Cobban, 1999, p.161). Of course, it was eventually decided that these two areas would be separate.
Another significant turning point was in the 1400s, when King Philippe Auguste gave students and teachers housing near campus (Sorbonne, n.d.). The simple boarding houses were nothing elegant, but they were better than the other buildings in the area students were forced to stay in. The boarding houses quickly became the norm across Europe. Students had easy access to all of campus and a peaceful place to study in the evenings (Cobban, 1999, p.171).
Changes are shown in every aspect of this university, and are therefore not excluded to only this page. Keep reading on this topic in The Role of the Church!
Changes are shown in every aspect of this university, and are therefore not excluded to only this page. Keep reading on this topic in The Role of the Church!