Editing Avignon (section)

==== University before the Revolution ====
The medieval University of Avignon, formed from the existing schools of the city, was formally constituted in 1303 by [[Boniface VIII]] in a [[Papal Bull]]. Boniface VIII and [[Charles II of Naples|King Charles II]] of Naples were the first great protectors and benefactors to the university. The Law department was the most important department covering both civil and [[Canon law|ecclesiastical law]]. The law department existed nearly exclusively for some time after the university's formation and remained its most important department throughout its existence.<ref name=ceuni>{{CathEncy|wstitle=University of Avignon|noicon=x}}</ref>

In 1413 [[Antipope John XXIII|Pope John XXIII]] founded the university's department of theology, which for quite some time had only a few students. It was not until the 16th and 17th centuries that the school developed a department of medicine. The [[bishop of Avignon]] was chancellor of the university from 1303 to 1475. After 1475 the bishop became an archbishop but remained chancellor of the university. The papal vice-legate, generally a bishop, represented the civil power (in this case the pope) and was chiefly a judicial officer who ranked higher than the Primicerius (Rector).<ref name=ceuni/>

The Primicerius was elected by the Doctors of Law. In 1503 the Doctors of Law had 4 Theologians and in 1784 two [[Doctor of Medicine|Doctors of Medicine]] added to their ranks. Since the Pope was the spiritual head and, after 1348, the temporal ruler of Avignon, he was able to have a great deal of influence in all university affairs. In 1413 [[Pope John XXIII|John XXIII]] granted the university extensive special privileges, such as university jurisdiction and [[tax exemption|tax exempt status]]. Political, geographical, and educational circumstances in the latter part of the university's existence caused it to seek favour from Paris rather than Rome for protection. During the chaos of the [[French Revolution]] the university started to gradually disappear and, in 1792, the university was abandoned and closed.<ref name=ceuni/>