An analysis of failed universities in the Middle Ages

Abstract

ABSTRACTFailed university is a notable phenomenon in the history of universities in the Middle Ages: some university foundations were not completed at all, some other universities disappeared in the medieval times. Moreover, many medieval universities once had unsuccessful experience. The failures and the successes both together form a complete history of medieval universities. A study on the failed universities will provide a new perspective to rethink and to verify the essential elements for a successful university foundation. So, this research focuses on the failed universities in the 14th and 15th centuries. Several typical failed cases in different territories (e.g., Barcelona, Pforzheim, Lucca) are selected and compared with successful university foundations. Through detailed analysis of the process of the university foundations, this research is to explore the motives of various university founders and demonstrate the necessary preconditions of founding a university in the Late Middle Ages.