THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. 599 As it was impossible for the Dominicans to change their posi- tion, it was inevitable that in time the Franciscans should range themselves under the opposite banner. The clash between them first came in 1387, when the struggle was carried on with all the ferocity of the odium theologicum. Juan de Moncon, a Dominican professor in the University of Paris, taught that the Virgin was conceived in sin. This aroused great uproar, and he fled to Avi- gnon from impending condemnation. Then, at Rouen, another Dominican preached similar doctrine, and, as we are told, was gen- erally ridiculed. The University sent to Avignon a deputation headed by Pierre d'Ailly, who claimed that they procured the condemnation of Juan, but he escaped to his native Aragon, while the Dominicans of Paris declared that the papal decision had been in their favor. If the chronicler is to be believed, they preached on the conception of the Virgin in the grossest terms and indulged in the most bestial descriptions, till the fury of the University knew no bounds. The Dominicans were expelled from all posi- tions in the Sorbonne, and the Avignonese Clement VII. was too dependent upon France to refuse a bull proclaiming as heretics Juan and all who held with him. Charles VI. was persuaded not only to force the Dominicans of Paris to celebrate every year the Feast of the Conception, but to order the arrest of all within the kingdom who denied the Immaculate Conception, that they might be brought to Paris and obliged to recant before the Uni- versity. It was not until 1403 that the Dominicans were re- admitted to the Sorbonne, to the disgust of the other Mendicants, who had greatly profited by their exile. It was natural that where the Dominicans had authority they should indulge in re- prisals. The Lullists were ardent defenders of the Immaculate Conception, which accounts in part for the hostility which they incurred.* Just (Vaissette, led. Privat, VIII. 225).— Concil. Londin. ann. 1328 c. 2 (Harduin. VII. 1538). The epitaph of Duns Scotus gives him the credit of defending the Immacu- late Conception. " Concepta est virgo primi sine labe parentis Hie tulit — " (Mosheim de Beghardis, p. 234.)
- Religieux de S. Denis, Hist, de Charles VI. vn. 5 ; vm. 2, 14; xxm. 5.—
Pelayo, Heterodoxos Espanoles, I. 536.
