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==Origin and early organization==

==Origin and early organization==

Similarly to the other early [[Medieval university|medieval universities]] ([[University of Bologna]], [[University of Padova]], [[University of Oxford]]), the University of Paris was only later established through a specific foundation act by a [[royal charter]] or [[papal bull]]. It grew up in the latter part of the twelfth century around the [[Notre Dame de Paris|Notre Dame Cathedral]] as a [[corporation]] similar to other medieval corporations, such as [[guild]]s of merchants or artisans.  The medieval Latin term ''universitas'' had the more general meaning of a guild.  The university of Paris was known as a ''universitas magistrorum et scholarium'' (a guild of masters and scholars).  Later universities such as the [[Charles University in Prague]] or the [[University of Heidelberg]] had different origins.   

Similar to the other early [[Medieval university|medieval universities]] ([[University of Bologna]], [[University of Padova]], [[University of Oxford]]), the University of Paris was formally established after its beginning by a [[royal charter]] or [[papal bull]]. It grew up in the second half of the twelfth century around the [[Notre Dame de Paris|Notre Dame Cathedral]] as a [[corporation]] similar to other medieval corporations, such as [[guild]]s of merchants or artisans.  The medieval Latin term ''universitas'' had the more general meaning of a guild.  The university of Paris was known as a ''universitas magistrorum et scholarium'' (a guild of masters and scholars).  Later universities such as the [[Charles University in Prague]] or the [[University of Heidelberg]] had different origins.   

The university had four [[Faculty (university)|Faculties]]:  [[Arts]], [[Medicine]], [[Law]], and [[Theology]].  The Faculty of Arts was the lowest in rank, but also the largest as students had to graduate there to be admitted to one of the higher faculties.  The students were divided into four ''[[nation (university corporation)|nationes]]'' according to language or regional origin: France, Normandy, Picardy, and England.  The last came to be known as the ''Alemannian'' (German) nation.  Recruitment to each nation was wider than the names might imply: the English-German nation included students from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. For more details see 'The four nations' section below.

The university had four [[Faculty (university)|Faculties]]:  [[Arts]], [[Medicine]], [[Law]], and [[Theology]].  The Faculty of Arts was the lowest in rank, but also the largest as students had to graduate there to be admitted to one of the higher faculties.  The students were divided into four ''[[nation (university corporation)|nationes]]'' according to language or regional origin: France, Normandy, Picardy, and England.  The last came to be known as the ''Alemannian'' (German) nation.  Recruitment to each nation was wider than the names might imply: the English-German nation included students from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. For more details see 'The four nations' section below.