Editing Heidelberg University (section)

===Founding===
[[File:Ruprecht I mit Frauen.jpg|thumb|In 1386, Heidelberg University was founded by [[Rupert I, Elector Palatine|Rupert I]] on instruction of [[Pope Urban VI]] who demanded modelling it after the ancient [[University of Paris]].]]

The [[Western Schism|Great Schism]] of 1378 made it possible for Heidelberg, a relatively small city and capital of the [[Electorate of the Palatinate]], to gain its own university.<ref name="Cser31">{{harvnb|Cser|2007|page=31}}</ref> The Great Schism was initiated by the election of two popes after the death of [[Pope Gregory XI]] in the same year.<ref name="Cser31" /> One successor resided in [[Avignon]] (elected by the French) and the other in Rome (elected by the Italian cardinals).<ref name="Cser31" /> The German secular and spiritual leaders voiced their support for the successor in Rome, which had far-reaching consequences for the German students and teachers in Paris: they lost their stipends and had to leave.<ref>{{harvnb|Wolgast|1986|page=1–2}}</ref>

[[Rupert I, Elector Palatine of the Rhine|Rupert I]] recognized the opportunity and initiated talks with the [[Roman Curia|Curia]], which ultimately led to a [[papal bull]] for foundation of a university. After having received, on 23 October 1385, permission from pope [[Urban VI]] to create a school of general studies ({{langx|la|studium generale}}), the final decision to found the university was taken on 26 June 1386 at the behest of Rupert I, [[Count Palatine of the Rhine]].<ref name="Wolgast3">{{harvnb|Wolgast|1986|page=3}}</ref> As specified in the papal charter, the university was modelled after the [[University of Paris]] and included four faculties: philosophy, theology, [[jurisprudence]], and medicine.<ref name="Hermans2005">{{cite book|title=Charters of Foundation and Early Documents of the Universities of the Coimbra Group|series=Varia Letteren| editor-first1=Jos. M. M. |editor-last1=Hermans |editor-first2=Marc |editor-last2=Nelissen |edition=2 |publisher=Leuven University Press|year=2005 |isbn=978-90-5867-474-6 |pages=56–57}}</ref>

On 18 October 1386 a special [[Pontifical High Mass]] in the ''[[Church of the Holy Spirit (Heidelberg)|Heiliggeistkirche]]'' was the ceremony that established the university.<ref name="Wolgast3"/> On 19 October 1386 the first lecture was held,<ref name="Wolgast3"/> making Heidelberg the [[List of oldest universities in continuous operation|oldest university in Germany]].<ref>{{harvnb|Wolgast|1986|page=1}}</ref> In November 1386, [[Marsilius of Inghen]] was elected first [[Rector (academia)|rector]] of the university.<ref name="Cser39">{{harvnb|Cser|2007|page=39}}</ref> The rector seal motto was ''semper apertus''—i.e., "the book of learning is always open."<ref>{{harvnb|Wolgast|1986|page=5–6}}</ref> The university grew quickly and in March 1390, 185 students were enrolled at the university.<ref>{{harvnb|Cser|2007|page=40}}</ref>

[[File:2013.10.01.111339 Alte Brücke Heiliggeistkirche View City Heidelberg.jpg|thumb|A [[Solemn Mass]] was offered in the ''[[Church of the Holy Spirit (Heidelberg)|Heiliggeistkirche]]'' in 1386 to mark and bless the establishment of the university.]]