A treatise of religion & learning and of religious and learned men consisting of six books, the two first treating of religion & learning, the four last of religious or learned men in an alphabetical order ... / by Edward Leigh ...

CHAP. X. Of the Vniversities of France.

FRance is famous for Corn Wine and Salt.

It hath bred many learned men, Prosper of Aquitain,* 1.1 Irenaeus the renown∣ed Bishop of Lions, Cassianus, Bernard Abbot of Clarevalle, Peter Lom∣bard Bishop of Paris, John Gerson Chancellour of that University.

Ausonius the Poet, Hottoman and Gotfredus the Civilians, Duarenus the Cano∣nist, Barn. Brissonius the great Antiquary, Isaac Casaubon that renowned Philo∣loger, Budaeus that great Master of the Greek Language, Thuanus the Historian, Laurentius the Anatomist.

Of later time,

Claudius Espencaeus a Sorbon Doctor, Cardinal Peron, Genebrard the Historian, Petavius.

For Protestants, Calvin, Beza, Farel, Viret, Danaeus, Peter du Moulin, Fr. Junius, Chamier, Philip de Mornay Lord of Phessis. Daeillè.

Some reckon up sixteen Universities in France, some more.* 1.2

Paris, Poictiers, Lions, Angiers, Avignion, Orleance, Bourges, Cane, Rhemes, Burdeaux, Tholouse, Nismes, Mompellier, Bisanson, Dole, Nantes, Grenoble, Valens, Avenion, and Massils, which is the ancientest of them all, and founded by the Grecians.

In the Province of the Gauls there was a particular Countrey called Parisium, in which Julius Caesar in his Commentaries of the warres made with the Gauls, speaking of it, cals it Lutetiam Parisiorum, meaning that this Town was set on Parisi∣um. Pasquier Recherch. de la France l. 9. c. 2.

Paris.

Paris (the Metropolis) is the first and most ancient University of France.* 1.3

L' Academie de Paris estant, tant pour son antiquitè, pour le nombre d'escholiers, que pour l'opinion de doctrine, la premiere de toutes les universitez qui estoyent au mon∣de. Preface D' Antoine Du Verdier Sur Sa Bibliotheque.

It was called Lutetia from lutum, which signifies dirt, because it abounded with

dirt and mire, and the French have a Proverb, That a thing stains like the dirt of Paris, Il gaste comme la fange de Paris.

The Emperour Charles the Great did institute this famous University at the earn∣est suite and instigation of Alcninus,* 1.4 whose Scholar he had been in the year of Salvation almost 791. so Ramus and Middendorpe, Parisiensis, Patavina, & Ti∣cinensis Academiae Carolum magnum parentem suum appellant Papyr. Masson. An∣nal. l. 2.

Vtcunque se res habeat satis constat Anglos primos Lutetiae bonas artes docuisse. Polyd. Verg. Hist. Anglic. l. 5.

Pasquier de Recherches de la France. lib. 9. cap. 4. seems to deny that Charles the Great was the founder of this University, and in the 5^th and 6^th Chapters of that Book, he shews his own opinion about it.

He saith there (lib. 3. cap. 29.) that Peter Lombard laid the first stone of the University of Paris.

* 1.5The Kings of France have beautified it from time to time with many sumptuous edifices, adorned it with many high and noble priviledges, and endued it with many rich and princely revenues.

Some speak of a hundred Colledges there built all of costly marble-stone, for the use of Students.

* 1.6Others mention but fifty four or fifty two Colledges, whereof fourty are of little use, and in the rest the Students live at their own charges, there being no in∣dowment laid unto any of them, except those two, the Sorbonne, and the Colledge of Navarre.

1. That of the Sorbonists.

* 1.7The King S^t Lewis by the Counsel of Robert of Sorbonne (which took his sir∣name, as they say, from the place of his Nativity) his Almoner and Confessour, resolved to erect a Colledge of Divines, which retains the name of Sorbonne. The most famous Doctors in Divinity have studied in this Colledge. The Pope Clement the 4^th confirmed the foundation of this Colledge.

* 1.8He that answers there continueth from morning to night.

II. The Colledge of Navarre was founded by Joan Queen of France and Navar in the year of Grace 1304. She inriched likewise this Colledge with an excellent Library.

The greatest part of the young Princes, Lords and Gentlemen in France are customarily nourished and instructed in this Colledge rather then another, as well for its pleasant situation and neatnesse, as because of its royal foundation.

Petrus de Aliaco Chancellour of Paris hath bestowed so much on this Colledge, that he is esteemed as a second Founder.

* 1.9Francis of Valois King of France, anno Dom. 1530. did send for sundry learn∣ed Professours of the Greek and Hebrew Tongues, unto whom he allowed liberall exhibitions, unto which he added afterward (being moved thereunto by the coun∣sell and perswasions of William Budie and John Bellay, two singularly learned men)

the profession of Physick, Philosophy, and the Mathematicks.* 1.10 See Pasquiers Re∣cherches de la France l. 9. c. 2.

Dionysius Areopagita first taught in this City the principles of Religion.

Clodoveus primus religionem Christianam in Franco Gallorum principatu fundavit. Thuanus Hist. Tom. 3. l. 73.

The Kings Readers and Professours in the Greek Tongue in the University of Paris from the year 1529.* 1.11

Petrus Danesius, Johannes Auratus, Jacobus Tusanus, Petrus Gallandius, Adri∣anus Turnebus, Dionysius Lambinus, Ludovicus Regis, Georgius Critonus Scotus Natione, Nicolaus Borbonius, and others.

The Kings Readers and Professours in the Hebrew Tongue in Paris from the year 1529.

Franciscus Vatablus, Johannes Mercerus, Gilberius Genebrardus, Agathius Gui∣dacerius, Rodolphus Baynus Anglus, Johannes Quinquarborens, Franciscus Jordanus, Petrus Victor Palma Cajetanus, and others.

The Kings Readers and Professours in the Mathematicks in Paris from the year 1533.

Orontius Fineus, Johannes Merlierus, Gulielmus Postellus, Joannes Pena, Ramus his Scholar, Petrus Forcadellus, Johannes Bullingerus.

The Kings Readers and Professours in the Latine Tongue, or Eloquence in Paris from the year 1534.

Bartholomaeus Latomus, Leodegarius de Quercu, Fredericus Morellus, Joannes Passeratius, Theodorus Marcilius.

The Kings Readers and Professours in Philosophy in Paris from the year 1562.

Franciscus Vicomeratus an Italian, and a great Philosopher, Petrus Ramus, Jaco∣bus Marius, and others.

The Kings Readers and Professours in Physick in Paris from the year 1543.

Vidus Vidius, Jacobus Silvius, Jacobus Goupylus, Ludovicus Duretus, Joannes Duretus, Joannes Faber, Joannes Riolanus, Master to Sir Theodore Miram, Clau∣dius Carolus.

Poictiers, Pictavia.

Poictiers is the Metropolis of the Earldom of Poictou, for Antiquity, not infe∣riour to any Town of France, second to Paris, onely in greatnesse, power and majesty.

In this City hath long flourished a most learned University,* 1.12 for the Civil-Law chiefly, of great fame and authority in degree and preheminence next to Paris.

Scaliger in his Cities thus speaks of it,

Si studium est animae: veniunt à corpore vires; Galliaque à meritis poscit nerumque sibi: Haec studiis, aliae belli exercentur amore. Pictavium est animus, caetera corpus erunt.

It was erected under Charles the 7^th King of France, and confirmed by Pope Eugenius the 4^th.

We read in the Ecclesiastical Histories, that S^t Hilary called the Apostle of A∣quitaine, first revealed unto this people the light of the Gospel, and became the first Bishop of Poictiers, his excellent writings sufficiently testifie his singular wisdom and learning.

Joannes Capnion and Christophorus Longolius were Professors here.

Lions.

The Arms of the City are a Lion, whence the name of the City in French Lyon.* 1.13

In this City flourished an Academy of great fame and celebrity, which hath sent forth into the world many excellent men, renowned for their great learning and holinesse of life, as Irenaeus and Eucherius both Archbishops of Lions.

* 1.14This City is famous for John Waldus learned in the Scriptures, who opposed the Pope and his Doctrine, whence the Waldenses called by some Pauperes De Lugduno, the poor men of Lions.

It was a Colony of the Romans. They erected a University here near the Church, and consecrated it to Minerva, Eloquence was chiefly adorned, and the youth was much exercised in learning it.

Palleat, ut nudis pressit qui calcibus anguem, Aut Lugdunensem rhetor dictarus ad aram.Juv. Sat.

Angiers.

It is the Metropolis of the Dukedom of Aniou.

* 1.15A publick University was in this City erected by Lewis the second about that time that Rupertus Phaltsgrave of Rheine founded Heidelberg in Germany, which was about the year 1346. Others will have it to be founded in the year 1362. at which time Casimire erected Cracon in Polonia.

It flourisheth in the study of the Latine especially.

Henry Valoise Duke of Aniou, brother to King Charles the ninth, not long since with much industrious care, laboured to augment and restore the same: the which good work that he might the better perform, he with great mu∣nificence invited thither sundry excellently learned Scholars: amongst the which was Francis Baldwin, who therein to his everlasting memory did establish the pro∣fession of the Civil-Law.

Bodine came out of this University.

Avignion.

I is an ancient City of Prouuence, situated on the bank of Rhodanus, wherein is an University of long continuance.

Pope John the 22. transferred the Apostolick seat from Rome unto this City, after whom it remained there 74 years, or thereabout.

The City and Church of Avignion are at this day immediately subjected to the Popes of Rome, who first became Lords thereof, by means of a certain Neapolitane Queen, who being indebted to the Church of Rome, resigned this City to the Bishops thereof, and his Successours for ever.

* 1.16Paulus Castrensis a Lawyer, by sundry learned works he wrote, much enobled this University.

Andreas Alciatus coming into France was hired (as himself in an Oration he made to the Scholars of Tycinum confesseth) for six hundred Crowns to be a pub∣lick Reader in this University. He taught the Law here.

Orleance.

It is a rich and plentifull City placed on the bank of the River Loire.

Some ancient Historiographers write,* 1.17 that the foundation of this City was laid by Aurelian the Emperour, in the year 276. and from him was called Aure∣lia, which name unto this day it retaineth. Others say, it was onely enlarged by him.

In this City was erected an University by Philip le Beau King of France, in the year from our Saviours Nativity 1312. wherein the Civil-Law is with such learning and admiration professed, that this Academy hath been often of grave and learn∣ed Writers, entituled the nurse or mother thereof. It enjoyeth the same priviledge with Tholouse.

The Maidens here especially labour to adorn the French Tongue,* 1.18 and they strive so to excell in it with an emulation, that they boast that they imitate Pindar.

Bourges.

It is a City in France of great fame, rich, spacious, and much frequented.

Some say, it was called Byturus quasi Bituris, from two ancient Towers, which they affirm to have been in this City erected by two brethren, which there together raigned.

T••••ribus à binis inde vocor Bituris.

In this City is a most glorious University, and so much admired of all learned Authors, that whensoever they have occasion to write thereof, they call it,* 1.19 The ornament of Letters, and habitation of the Muses. It was many years since found∣ed by a certain Duke of Burges, but after in continuance of time falling to decay, and being almost utterly extinct, it was again restored by sundry Kings of France. It was authorized and endued with many great priviledges and high prerogatives by Pope Paulus the 2^d of that name.

Here Alciate, Rebuffus, Duarenus, Hotoman, Bonellus and Cuiacius (famous Lawyers) lived and taught with great applause.

Cane.

An University was erected at Cane in Normandy, upon this occasion.* 1.20 Henry the 5^th King of England, who subdued the Kingdom of France, and left the title to his posterity after many great and glorious Conquests atchieved against the French King, he at last bereaved him of Normandy, in the year 1418. In token and memory of which victory, as an eternal Trophy and Monument of his glory, he caused to be laid in Cane the foundation of this University.

The Archbishop of Dublin was the first Reader of Divinity there.

Here now lives Bochart the learned French Divine.

Rhemes.

It is a goodly City, and the Metropolis of Champaigne, wherein not long since was erected an University by the Prince Charles Guise, Cardinal of Lorain, Arch∣bishop and Duke of Rhemes, whose glory and renown daily more and more encrea∣seth, by reason of the Arts so learnedly there professed.

S. Remigius was Bishop of this City, a man of holy conversation, and excel∣lently learned, as it evidently appeareth by the Commentaries which he wrote upon the Old and New Testament. He baptized Clodovaeus a mighty and puissant King of France, together with Chotisdis his wife, daughter to the King of Burgundy, he died in the year 498.

The French Kings are anointed at Rhemes with the oyl wherewith S^t Re∣migius

had anointed Clodoveus the first Christian King of France.

Burdeaux.

It is the head City of Aquitane.

In this City hath long flourished a most renowned University commonly called the School of Aquitaine,* 1.21 where the Arts are publikely taught and professed.

Here Ausonius that famous Poet was born and educated.

Tholouse.

Pope John the 22 was the first Institutor of the University therein, which as it was erected not long after Paris, so doth it enjoy the same priviledges that here∣tofore have been granted to Paris.

There was said in times past to have been in this City a Temple, wherein were commonly reserved in secret vaults and dungeons under ground, as Possi∣donius saith, 15000 talents of gold, which if any man had taken, he shortly after came to some unfortunate end: From whence proceedeth the Proverb, applied commonly to those whose attempts are ever unfortunate and without success, Au∣rum babet Tolosanum.

Nismes.

It is called by Ptolomy, Pemponias Mela; Strabo and others, Nemausus; it is an ancient City in Dolphine, wherein was lately erected an University.

Mompelliers.

* 1.22A City in Dolphiny not far distant from the Mediteranian sea.

An University was therein erected (as some Writers affirm) in the year of our Lord 1196. which afterward was endued with many priviledges by Pope Vrban the fifth, who layed the foundation of a goodly house called Popes Colledge.

There have famous Physitians proceeded out of Paris and this University.

Bisanson.

It is the Metropolis of Burgandy.

In the year of salvation 1540. by the authority of Pope Julius the 3^d, and the Emperour Charles the 5^th a new University was therein erected, which hath ex∣ceedingly since flourished.

Dole.

This is also a City in Burgundy, very strong and opulent.

An University is therein of great continuance, wherein among many other sci∣ences the Civil Law is most Learnedly read and professed.

Carolus Molinaeus here publickly taught the Law.

Geneva.

* 1.23It is a famous Town in Savoy of very great Antiquity.

The situation of it is pleasant and the Country fertile.

There is a Library of ancient and rare Books, the French Bible translated 300 years since.

The inhabitants generally are addicted to the more pure and Reformed Religion, thence it is the refuge and asylum of the afflicted exiles of Christ.

For the Politick Government, this Common-wealth is free from all Dominion, and it obtained this liberty from Charles the 4^th Emperour.

There have been many Learned men here, Peter Viret, William Farell, John Calvin, Antony Sadeel, Petrus Cevallerias, Cornelius Bertram, Bucane,* 1.24 Theodore Beza, Simon Goulartius, Antonias Falus, John Deodate Professor of Divinity and the Hebrew Tongue, Isaac Casaubone the Kings Professor for the Greek.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Gallia multis laudum & variis nomini∣bus foelix ha∣betur, sed uno beneficio na∣turae praecipuè beata, quod clarissimis fluviis in om∣nes mundi partes profluentibus est irrigua: Pado illo fluviorum Rege in orientem, Rhodano in meridiem, Sequana in occidentem, Rheno in Septentrionem. Sed Gallia Parisiensis Academiae Disciplinis & artibus longè foe••icis∣sima, longéque beatissima fuerit. Longè enim latiores longioresque tractus habent ista disciplinarum flumina, & plures terras Nationes que complectuntur, Ea enim Parisiensis Academiae fama est per universam Latini nominis Europam, ut nemo satis eruditus esse videatur, nisi qui Lutetiae didicerit: haec Academia non urbis unius, sed universi orbis Academia est. Ramus Prooem. Reform. Paris. Academ.
• * 1.2

  Sedecem am∣plissimi regni Academiae, Parisiorum, Aureliorum, Biturigum, Andium, Pi∣ctonum, Rhenorum, Divionensium, Cadomorum, Nannerum, Burdegalensium. Aqueensium, Gratianopolitanorum, Valentinensium, Tholosarum, Cadurcorum, Nitiobrigum, Avenionem adderem nisi Pontificis quam regis esse mallet. Rami Scholae Mathemat. lib. 3.
• * 1.3

  Lutetia Aca∣demiarum om∣nium regina. Erasm. Epist. Verè dici po∣test omnium Scholarum quas post homines natos floruisse memoriae proditum est, hanc unam esse praestantissimam. Rami Proo••m reformandae Paris. Acad. p. 457. O Lutetiae Parisiorum decus, Galliarum solatium, sedem universo hominum generi concessam, Templum religionis, aram legum, medicinae portum, arcem ingenuarum disciplinarum, gloriosissimum bonarum, laudandarumque rerum omnium domicilium: huc Indorum gymnosophystae, magi Persarum, Vates Chaldaeorum, Graecorum sapientes, sacerdotes Aegyptiorum, omniaque omnium terrarum miracula, huc tres orbis dominae, principiesque linguae convenerunt, & commune sibi hospitium domestico usu, & familiari consuetudine fecerunt. Pet. Rami Dialect. praef. 1.
• * 1.4

  Lutetia duo∣decim millia domorum con∣tinet intra muros, praeter eos vicos qui sunt in pomoe∣riis, quorum capacitas longe urbem ipsam dicitur supera∣re. Domos autem illas no putaveris casas. Sunt enim plurimae quae aliquot hominum millia capere queant, in quibus scientiarum omnium, trium linguarum cultus, Eloquentiae exercitationes, superant auditorum fidem. Scalig. De Subtil. ad Card. exercit CCLX. Lutetia urbs praestans inter omnes Europae multis nominibus, suburbiis etiam decem adeò amplis ut horum alia oertare queant cum amplis urbibus Italiae. Neand. Orbis Terrae Partium Succincta explicatio, part. 1.
• * 1.5

  Lewis the 9^th Philip the 6^th. Charles the 6^th.
• * 1.6

  Lutetiae 54. Collegia exi∣stunt, eaque omnia ferè ab Ecclesiasticis condita vel locupletata, quot & quanta in ulla alia orbis Academia vix quispiam notaverit. Geneb. Chronol. l. 4.
• * 1.7

  Le Theatre Des Antiquites De Paris Par Jacques Du Breul.
• * 1.8

  Theologi Pa∣risienses pri∣mum totius Europae locum eo genere sibi vendicant, duo habent praecipuè Collegia, Sorbonam & Navarram, eoque conf••uere solent ex omnibus propè gentibus doctrinae percipiendae causa. Sleid. Comment. lib. 4.
• * 1.9

  Franciscus primus Rex Gulielmo Bu∣daeo & Joanne Bellaio hor∣tantibus ad addendum Colophonemiis, qúae in Pacifiensi Academia desiderabantur, destinaro aureorum ducatorum honoracio Regios linguarum protessores inssimuit Hebraicae quidem Franciscum Vatablum, Graecè autem Petrum Danesium Parisiensem. Geneb. Chronol. l. 4.
• * 1.10

  S^t Deuis for Frame.
• * 1.11

  Viri doctrina multa & varia literis & lin∣guis eruditis, praecipuis & variis in Aca∣demia Parisia∣na illustres docuere & floruere. Pettus Lom∣bardus Episco∣pus Parisiensis, qui quod de sententiis & testimoniis patrum expli∣carionem om∣nium capicum doctrinae Ec∣clesiae scripsis∣set, venerabili nomine Ma∣gister senten∣tiarum cogno∣minatus fuit, Joannes Ger∣son, Cancel∣larius Parisi∣ensis Theolo∣gus, qui Con∣cilio Constan∣tiensi interfuit, cum Joannes Hus cum socio constantissimo M. Hieronymo à Praga exureretur. Gulielmus Budaeus, Carolus Molinaeus, Andreas Tiraquellus, Jacobus Sylvius, Gulielmus Postellus, Franciscus Vatablus, Adrianus Tarnelus, Dionysius Lambinus, Petrus Ramus, Robertus Stephanus viri doctrina, sapientia at{que} literis praestantissimi ac nobilissimi, & quidam alii. Neand. Orb. Ter. Part. Succinct. Explicat. part. 1.
• * 1.12

  Andreas Tir∣aquellus was Governour of it.
• * 1.13

  Lugdunum. Anno Dom. 830.
• * 1.14

  Hic claruit Joannes Ger∣son, eam exer∣navit Petrus Toletus, Bar∣tholomaeus Argenterius, aliique magni nominis viri. Swertii Athen. Belg.
• * 1.15

  Andegavum Vinum album celebratissimae est bonitatis: le vin d' Aniou. Jodoc. Sincer. Itinerar. Gal. Non ingrata fuit Academia in educandis jurisconsultis magni nomi∣nis, qui fuerunt Lazarus Bay∣fius, Franc. Balduinus, Eguinarius Baro, Johannes Bodinus (aliquibus, joce, puto, dictus Andius sine bono) Parliamenti Parisiens. advocatus & alii. Golni••ai Itinerarium Bellico-Gallicum.
• * 1.16

  His Commenta∣ries on the Ci∣vil-Law. Aemilius Fer∣retus also taught here. In Collegio Jurisconsultorum Cathedrae inscriptum notabis: Sessio Aemilii Ferreti: Peritum erno, imperitum dedecore. Jodoc. Sincer. Itinerar. Gal.
• * 1.17

  Aurelia. Vinum quod ex circumia∣cente agro colligitur ge∣nerosissimis Galliae ac∣censetur Sani∣tati tamen proficuum non creditur. Sic ut etiam Pincerne regio hoc Principi suo propinare vetitum prohibeatur. Jodoc. Sinc. Itinerar. Gal.
• * 1.18

  They call it Pindarizer.
• * 1.19

  Academiam habet celeber∣rimam, & cul vix ulla totius Galliae par. Erecta sub regno Ludo∣vici, cui Sancti nomen indi∣tam. Docue∣runt hic juris∣prudentiam Andraeus Alciatus, Eguinarius Baro, Petrus Rebussus, Franciscus Balduinus, Fr. Duarenus, Antonius Con∣tius, Hugo Donellus, Fr. Hotomanus, Jacobus Cuiacius, Joh. Mererius. Jodoc. Sinc. Itinerar. Gal.
• * 1.20

  Academia Cadomensis.
• * 1.21

  Gymnasium Aquitanicum per excellenti∣am vocatur, quòd in nulla alia Aquiraniae Academia omne artium genus publicè tradatur. Europaei orbis Academiae.
• * 1.22

  Mons Pessula∣nus. Academia Mons peliensis Medecinae studiis toto orbe celeber∣rima. Ex Parisiensi scholâ prodierunt Fernelius, Hollerius, Ludovicus Duretus, Ruellius, Andreas Vesalius, Heurnius, Va∣letius, Jacobus Sylvius, Riolanus uterque. Ex Monspeliensi, Gentilis, insignis Avicennae commentator, Falco, Argen∣terius, Dalechampius, Rondeletius, Valeriola, Jacobus Fontanus, Laurentius Joubertus, Andreas Laurentius, insignis Anatomes scriptor. Primrosii academia Mons peli••••sis.
• * 1.23

  Collegium in∣accessum ne relinquas & intres quoque bibliothecam, in qua osten∣dentur tibi Biblia Gallica ante 300, & quod excurrit annos versa. Caeterum urbs Mercurialis, viget{que} in primis negotiatio serica. Quin & li∣braria negotiatione nobilitatissima est. Jodoc. Sinc. Itinerar. Gall.
• * 1.24

  Fredericke Spanheme.