Political hifiiiencc of the University of Paris 441 tion of the realm and to effect a reconciliation with the Duke of Burgundy, Louis of Orleans angrily retorted : "As you do not consult knights in questions of religion, so you ought not to meddle in questions of war ; therefore return to your books and attend to your own affairs, for, though the University is called the daughter of the king, she should not interfere with the government of the kingdom." ' In 1408 Gerson, on behalf of the University, strove to reconcile the two dukes ; ^ and in 1410 certain masters were sent to exhort the Duke of Bern to establish peace "for the honor and welfare of the king and the kingdom." The deputation was in- structed to state that in the dissensions between the princes of the royal house the University wishes to act as " the loyal daughter of the king," to refrain from all partisanship, and to mediate by ex- horting both parties to make peace, for it is her duty by reason of her profession {ex sua professionc) to work for peace, " as she always has been accustomed to do."' After their interview with the Duke of Berri the deputies requested the King to restore tranquillity by removing the heads of the two parties (the Dukes of Berri and Burgundy) from the government and by replacing them with men devoted to the public welfare. This proposition was accepted and carried out.^ In 1410 and again in 141 2 the University implored the Duke of Burgundy to establish peace in the realm.* It also sent delegates to various councils assembled to deliberate concern- ing terms of peace (for example, at Auxerre in 141 2, at Pontoise in 141 3, at Troyes in 1420, at Arras in 1435), and issued letters confirming or approving treaties of peace. In 141 3, at a congre- gation of the University at which the Dukes of Guienne, Berri, and Burgundy, with many other magnates, were present, the chancellor of the Duke of Guienne solemnly rendered thanks to the assembled masters for having labored zealously to establish peace." During Charles VI. 's reign the rector and masters also exhibited much zeal for the improvement of the government of France. In 1405, in presence of the princes of the royal house, Gerson {ex parte universitatis) delivered an oration on the reformation of the chief ' Chartularium, IV, 135, ^/bid., IV, 160. ^Ibid., IV, 18S. In 1432 and 1444 the University again asserts that " by reason of her profession" she strives for the peace and tranquillity of the realm, {Ibid., IV, 547, 646.)
- Chroiiiquf du Rfligieux de Saiiil-Denys, IV, 372-3S4 ; if. Valois, Le Grand
Consfil, I18-120, ^Chartularium, IV, l8g, 239-241 ; see also ibid., IV, 547, ^Ibid., IV, 241, 259, 377, 565-571, 'For example, in 1413 and 1420 (ibid., IV, 259, 261, 380), ^Ibid., IV. 261,
