Page:American Historical Review vol. 6.djvu/453

 Political Influence of tlie University of Paris 443 in 1446 one of the bulwarks of its ancient independence was swept away by a royal edict which made the University subject to the jurisdiction of the Parlement of Paris.' Another of the most prec- ious academic privileges, exemption from taxation, was also assailed by that monarch.^ While his son Louis XI. sat on the throne, " the eldest daughter" of the king was under stern parental control which would not brook any interference in political affairs. In 1467 Louis informed a deputation of the University that the old practice of meddling with the quarrels of princes must not be renewed/ and there is no evidence that it was renewed during his reign. In 1483, when the rector and masters approved the treaty of peace between Louis XI. and Maximilian of Austria, they simply acted as the do- cile instrument of the crown : they had been commanded to give their approval to the treaty, and they answered that they were al- ways " ready to do all that the king may be pleased to order." ' In 1485, during the minority of Louis XL's successor, Louis of Orleans asked the University for its support against Anne of Beau- jeu, the regent of France, but it prudently refrained from interfering in the strife of factions. ° When Louis of Orleans became King of France he refused to recognize the right of the University to sus- pend its lectures and sermons, and hence in 1499 '^his ancient weapon of academic aggression was used for the last time.'' Thus under Charles VII. and his three successors the independence and influence of the great corporation of masters gradually declined, and the University ceased to be a political power. Having determined the scope of its political activity, we are now prepared to deal with the causes which led the University to assert itself in politics. First it should be noted that the position of the rector and masters as an independent and privileged corporation, accustomed to self-government and free discussion, gave them a consciousness of strength and an aptitude for political agitation. Then, too, the situation of the University in a great capital brought the academic body in close touch with the political life of France. Moreover, this body was well adapted to diffuse political ideas and to mould public opinion ; for its masters filled most of the pulpits in Paris and held many benefices in other parts of France." Therefore the approbation of the University was courted by the king and bj- the leaders of party factions. For example, in 141 1 Charles VI. ' Chartutarhim, IV'. 669. «Beaucourt, Histoire de C/iar/a I'll., IV. 326. »Du Boulay, V. 681. ^ Ibid., V. 767; Crevier, IV. 417-419. '' Du Boulay, V. 830-834; Dubarle, I. 337-339. 'Rashdall, rnkt-nities. I. 42I; cf. ibid., I. 532-535; Chartularitim, IV. 648.
 * Ibid., V. 755-757-