12 



UNIVERSITIES, SCHOOLS, STUDENTS. 



from amongst the doctors in practice. Deans and proctors, to the number 

 of seven, formed the higher tribunal of the University. The Faculty of 

 Arts had, therefore, a clear majority of its own upon this tribunal ; it had, 

 moreover, assumed for itself the exclusive right of nominating the rector 

 or supreme head of the University, and he was bound to be a member of the 

 faculty (Fig. 16). The Faculty of Arts also had the care of the archives, 

 the management of the Pre-aux-Clercs, and the nomination or presentation 

 of all the University officials not chosen by vote. 



Originally the elected rector did not hold office for more than six weeks, 



Fig. 17. Master Jean de Vandeuil, Proctor of the Picardy Nation (Fifteenth Century). 

 Miniature of the Manuscript Register, No. 11 (1476' 83). University Archives. 



but in the thirteenth century the period was extended to three months, and 

 towards the close of the fifteenth century the post came to be held in fact, if 

 not in right, for a twelvemonth. The proctors of the nations (Fig. 17) were 

 at first invested with the right of choosing the rector, but so many scandals 

 were caused in this connection that the nations nominated four special 

 electors, who, before proceeding to a selection, swore to make a choice honour- 

 able and useful to the University. 



The rector, whose office conferred upon him high prerogatives, exercised 

 a sovereign jurisdiction over all the schools, and recognised no authority as 



