Section 5.1: Privileges of Papal Foundation

The Catholic Church recognized the growing influence of university instruction on the educated and more prosperous elements of the population. Through the award= (Stiftung) of privileges, the popes were able to exert= a certain influence on academic instruction and appointments. In some cases (e.g., in Toulouse) the Church also used the foundation of a university to secure the Christian belief. =

Section 5.2: Privileges of Imperial Foundation

Imperial privileges were only occasionally the basis f= or the foundation of a university. F= or some emperors, the foundation of a university was motivated by the need to compete with papal influence especially in northern Italy. Moreover, the universities also served as a structure for training jurists who could enter the imperial service.

Section 5.3: Privileges of Royal or Aristocratic Found= ation

There was a special situation in the kingdoms of Casti= le and Leon in connection with the Reconquista. To facilitate the development to develop a new cultural identity among their n= ew subjects, the kings took the lead to establish universities that would prom= ote new Christian order. At the s= ame time, they served as a symbol of the special royal position of power at the frontier of the “Christian Occident.”

Section 5.4: The Foundation of Privileges Awarded by K= ings, Nobility and Popes

Regional powers hoped for increased activity in their domains by promoting urban universities. The incentive for doing so was bas= ed on the perception that well-educated personnel could serve the interests of court and economy, and moreover enhance the perceived political power of the founder/ruler. Some of the latter (for example, bishops) were dependent on = the consent of one of the two highest authorities in the Mi= ddle Ages (Emperor or Pope), and needed their financial support, or were not wil= ling to forgo it for other reasons (for example, the support of a theological faculty).

Section 5.5: The Absence of Foundation Privileges

“A= large number of these “unofficial foundations” arose following disput= es among professors whereby a dissident group seceded from the older university (for example, Angers and Orleans out of secessions from Paris). In northern Italy the power struggles among the powerful city-states were primarily responsible for such secessions. The prestige associated with universities = was considerable, hence communities and potentates compete= d with one another to attract the most prestigious professors to enhance the reputation of the institutions they supported.