8/14/2019 Papal Bull Concerning the University of Cambridge

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Papal Bull concerning the University of Cambridge

(Inter Singula)

John XXII, Pope of Rome, at the request of King Edward II granted this bull to theUniversity of Cambridge. It seems to be qute similar to the document that the Vatican has

on display. The title of the page at the Vatican Secret Archives' website says: "JOHNXXII FOUNDS THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE". As it becomes quite clear from

the document itself, John XXII did no such thing. The university already existed de facto

for some time, and the termstudium generale applied to the school in Cambridge wasinterchangeable with Universitas. The text below has a longer version of the header.

There is also some discrapancy in the date of the document. Vatican has "Avignon, 1318

June 9th." The text below has July 11 (if I am not mistaken).

Joannes episcopus, servus servorum Dei, dilectis filiis Universitatis Cantabrigiae Eliensis,

salutem, et apostolicam benedictionem. Inter singula, quae grata nos oblectationelaetificant, grandi cor nostrum reficitur gaudio, et laetitia exultat exoptata, cum eos qui

coelesti sunt providentia praediti, ad populorum regimen et regnorum, ad communemsubjectorum suorum profectum intentos aspicimus, ipsosque ad publicae utilitatis bonum

solicitos intuemur: sane charissimus in Christo filius noster, Edwardus rex Angliae

[illustris] prudenter attendens, quod multitudo sapientum salus est regnorum, quodque

non minus prudentium consilio, quam fortium strenuitate virorum, regentium et regnorummoderamina disponantur, apud Cantabrigiam, Eliensis dioecesis locum, in regno suo

multis commoditatibus praeditum, et insignem desiderat vigere studium generale, et quod

a doctoribus et docendis in posterum frequentetur, humiliter postulavit a nobis ut studiumab olim ibi ordinatum, et privilegia a Romanis pontificibus praedecessoribus nostris vel

regibus [Angliae] qui fuerint pro tempore eidem concessa, apostolico curemus munimineroborare. Nos igitur suae intentionis propositum, dignis in Domino laudibuscommendantes, ejusque supplicationibus inclinati, apostolica autoritate statuimus, ut in

praedicto loco Cantabrigiae sit de caetero studium generale [illudque ibidem vigeat

perpetius futuris temporibus in qualibet facultate]: volentes autoritate praedicta et etiam

decernentes, quod collegium magistrorum et scholarium ejusdem studii, Universitas sitcensenda, et omnibus juribus gaudeant, quibus gaudere potest et debet Universitas

quaecunque legitime ordinata. Caeterum omnia privilegia et indulta praedicto studio,

rationabiliter a pontificibus et regibus praedictis concessa, autoritate praedictaconfirmanus. Nulli igitur omnino liceat hanc paginam nostri saluti, voluntatis,

constitutionis, et confirmationis infringere, vel ausu temerario contraire: si quis autem

hoc attemptare prasumpserit, indignationem Omnipotentis Dei, et beatorum Petri et Pauliapostolorum, noverit se incursurum. Dat. Avinionae 5 idus Julii, Pontificatus nostri anno

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(Latin text from "The History of the University of Cambridge from the Conquest to theYear 1634" by Thomas Fuller, Marmaduke Prickett, Thomas Wright, 1840 edition)

http://asv.vatican.va/en/doc/1318.htmhttp://asv.vatican.va/en/doc/1318.htm

8/14/2019 Papal Bull Concerning the University of Cambridge

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Translation:

Bishop John, servant of servants of God, extends greetings and apostolic blessings to the

beloved sons of the University of Cambridge. Ely diocese. Among specific things that

gladden us with welcome delight, our heart rejuvenates in great joy and exults in longedfor happiness, when we see that those men, whom heavenly providence endowed towards

the purpose of guiding nations and kingdoms, are intent upon the common progress of

their subjects, and when we admire their concern for the welfare of public interests.Indeed, our dearest son in Christ, Edward, [great] King of England, prudently observant

of the fact that prosperity of nations rests in the abundance of learned men and that the

rulings of governors and kings are set in order in no lesser degree by the advice of the

wise, as by the deeds of the strong, desired that a distinguished university may flourish inCambridge, a town of the Ely diocese, under his rule endowed with many commodities,

and, so that it might be filled in posterity with masters and students, he humbly requested

us to it upon ourselves to reinforce with Apostolic protection both the school, instituted

there some time ago, and the privileges that had been granted by the Roman Pontifices,our predecessors, or the kings [of England]. So, commending him in the Lord with

deserved praises, and swayed by his supplications, we confirmed by our apostolicauthority his proposed plan, so that henceforth in the said town of Cambridge there be a

school (studium generale) and that it might flourish in that very place in times to come, in

every academic discipline], willing by the aforesaid authority and in fact decreeing that

the corporation of this very school be considered a university(universitas) and that theyenjoy all rights which any lawfully instituted university might and should enjoy.

Moreover, we confirm through the aforesaid authority all privileges and favors that were

rightly granted to this school by the aforesaid pontifices and kings. No one, therefore, ispermitted to infringe upon this charter of our protection, will, regulation and

confirmation, or to go against it with reckless audacity. And if anyone should dare to

attempt this he shall find himself incurring the anger of the Almighty God and the blessedapostles Peter and Paul.

Written in Avignon, July 11 of the second year of our pontificate.