Collège de Navarre

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College of Navarre

The College of Navarre (French: Collège de Navarre) was one of the colleges of the historic University of Paris. It was founded by Johanna, queen of Navarre in 1304, who provided for 3 departments, the arts with 20 students, philosophy with 30 and theology with 20 students.

Provision was made also for their support, 4 Paris sous weekly for the artists, 6 for the logicians and 8 for the theologians. These allowances were to continue until the graduates held benefices of the value respectively of 30, 40 and 60 pounds. The regulations allowed the theological students a fire, daily, from November to March after dinner and supper for one half-hour. The luxury of benches was forbidden by a commission appointed by Urban V in 1366. On the festival days, the theologians were expected to deliver a collation to their fellow-students of the three classes. The rector at the head of the college, originally appointed by the faculty of the university, was now appointed by the king's confessor. The students wore a special dress and the tonsure and ate in common.

Classes bore little resemblance to today's universities. Subjects were included that are not taught today such as rhetoric in its classical meaning. The students were required to speak and write only in Latin and all subjects had to learned by Rote. Only after graduation were students allowed to write using their own words or discuss the subjects.

The College was suppressed at the time of the French Revolution. Its buildings were assigned to the École polytechnique by Napoleon in 1805.