Douai University
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The University of Douai (; ) was a historic
university A university () is an educational institution, institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase , which roughly ...
in
Douai Douai ( , , ; ; ; formerly spelled Douay or Doway in English) is a city in the Nord (French department), Nord département in northern France. It is a Subprefectures in France, sub-prefecture of the department. Located on the river Scarpe (rive ...
,
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
. With a medieval tradition of scholarly activity in the city, the university was established in 1559, and lectures began in 1562. It ceased operations from 1795 to 1808. In 1887, it was relocated 27 km away to Lille, where it became the
University of Lille The University of Lille (, abbreviated as ULille, UDL or univ-lille) is a French public research university based in Lille, Hauts-de-France. It has its origins in the University of Douai (1559), and resulted from the merger of three universities ...
. From the mid-16th century onward, the University of Douai had a Europe-wide influence as a prominent center of Neo-Latin literature, significantly contributing to the dissemination of printed knowledge. With 1,500 to 2,000 registered students and several hundred professors, it was the second-largest university in France during the late 17th and 18th centuries. Studies in mathematics and physics at the Douai Faculty of Arts fostered advancements in artillery practice. The Douai Faculty of Theology was a key center for Catholic scholarship, playing a crucial role in shaping religious doctrines and engaging in political controversies across Europe. Its scholars also contributed to the development of new approaches in the humanities.


History


Douai, scholar pole from the late Middle Ages to the Renaissance

Before the formal establishment of the university,
Douai Douai ( , , ; ; ; formerly spelled Douay or Doway in English) is a city in the Nord (French department), Nord département in northern France. It is a Subprefectures in France, sub-prefecture of the department. Located on the river Scarpe (rive ...
had a rich scholarly tradition dating back to the late Middle Ages. Nearby, Anchin Abbey served as a significant cultural center from the 11th to the 13th century, producing numerous manuscripts and charters. It was rivaled by the
scriptoria A scriptorium () was a writing room in medieval European monasteries for the copying and Illuminated manuscript, illuminating of manuscripts by scribes. The term has perhaps been over-used—only some monasteries had special rooms set aside for ...
of
Marchiennes Abbey Marchiennes Abbey was a French monastery located on the Scarpe in Marchiennes. It was founded around 630 by Adalbard of Douai, and Irish monks, disciples of Saint Columbanus, on the advice of Saint Amand. One of its founders was Rictrude, who ...
and Flines Abbey. Alongside these abbeys, other monastic houses in Douai contributed to the city's intellectual activity. By the 16th century, these institutions ensured that "close to the city, several very rich abbeys could provide space and resources to the new university." The bonds of vassalage tying the
County of Flanders The County of Flanders was one of the most powerful political entities in the medieval Low Countries, located on the North Sea coast of modern-day Belgium and north-eastern France. Unlike the neighbouring states of Duchy of Brabant, Brabant and ...
to the Kingdom of France were abolished in 1526, with Flanders becoming an imperial province under the
Treaty of Madrid (1526) Treaty of Madrid may refer to: * Treaty of Madrid (1339), collaboration between Aragon and Castile * Treaty of Madrid (1526), in which France renounced claims in Italy, surrendered Burgundy to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and abandoned sovereignty ...
, signed by King
Francis I of France Francis I (; ; 12 September 1494 – 31 March 1547) was King of France from 1515 until his death in 1547. He was the son of Charles, Count of Angoulême, and Louise of Savoy. He succeeded his first cousin once removed and father-in-law Louis&nbs ...
and
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558) was Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria from 1519 to 1556, King of Spain (as Charles I) from 1516 to 1556, and Lord of the Netherlands as titular Duke of Burgundy (as Charles II) ...
. This arrangement was later confirmed by the
Treaty of Cambrai (1529) The Treaty of Cambrai, also known as the or ('Ladies' Peace'), was an agreement made on 5 August 1529 that ended the French involvement in the War of the League of Cognac between French King Francis I and Emperor Charles V, who was also the K ...
. Consequently, it was to the emperor that the magistrates of Douai submitted a request in 1531 to establish a university in the town. However, formal approval for the university was only granted during the reign of
Philip II of Spain Philip II (21 May 152713 September 1598), sometimes known in Spain as Philip the Prudent (), was King of Spain from 1556, King of Portugal from 1580, and King of Naples and List of Sicilian monarchs, Sicily from 1554 until his death in 1598. He ...
, reflecting the evolving political and religious context of the time.


Old university of Douai (1559–1795)


Establishment of the university (1559)

As part of a broader program to consolidate the Spanish
Low Countries The Low Countries (; ), historically also known as the Netherlands (), is a coastal lowland region in Northwestern Europe forming the lower Drainage basin, basin of the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta and consisting today of the three modern "Bene ...
, a university was established in Douai by Philip II between 1559 and 1562, serving as a counterpart to Leuven University, founded in 1426. The foundation was confirmed by a papal bull issued by
Pope Paul IV Pope Paul IV (; ; 28 June 1476 – 18 August 1559), born Gian Pietro Carafa, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 23 May 1555 to his death, in August 1559. While serving as papal nuncio in Spain, he developed ...
on 31 July 1559 and reaffirmed by
Pope Pius IV Pope Pius IV (; 31 March 1499 – 9 December 1565), born Giovanni Angelo Medici, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 25 December 1559 to his death, in December 1565. Born in Milan, his family considered itself a b ...
on 6 January 1560. Philip II's
letters patent Letters patent (plurale tantum, plural form for singular and plural) are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch, President (government title), president or other head of state, generally granti ...
, dated 19 January 1561, authorized the creation of five faculties: Theology,
Canon Law Canon law (from , , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical jurisdiction, ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its membe ...
, Civil Law, Medicine, and Arts. The university's formal inauguration took place on 5 October 1562, marked by a public procession of the
Blessed Sacrament The Eucharist ( ; from , ), also called Holy Communion, the Blessed Sacrament or the Lord's Supper, is a Christian rite, considered a sacrament in most churches and an ordinance in others. Christians believe that the rite was instituted by J ...
and a sermon delivered in the marketplace by François Richardot, the
Bishop of Arras The Diocese of Arras (–Boulogne–Saint-Omer) (Latin: ''Dioecesis Atrebatensis (–Bononiena–Audomarensis)''; French: ''Diocèse d'Arras (–Boulogne–Saint-Omer)'') is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in France. The episcopal s ...
. The institution's first chancellor was Richard Smith, an Englishman. Recent studies increasingly recognize the 16th-century foundation of the University of Douai as an important institution of its time. Efforts are underway to reconstruct a comprehensive portrait of various aspects of its history, including detailed prosopographies of its professors and students, particularly during its
Habsburg The House of Habsburg (; ), also known as the House of Austria, was one of the most powerful dynasties in the history of Europe and Western civilization. They were best known for their inbreeding and for ruling vast realms throughout Europe d ...
period.


College du Roi (1562), College d'Anchin (1568) and College de Marchiennes (1570)

The first university college established in Douai was the "Collège du Roi" (King's College), which opened in 1562. A second college was founded in 1564 but was later replaced by the Collège d'Anchin in 1568. Another college, supported by the Abbey of Marchiennes, opened in 1570. These colleges served not only as accommodation for students but also as venues for lectures. Royal-appointed lecturers accounted for only a tenth of the 300 teachers in the faculty. The faculty of the Jesuit College, which included up to 145 teachers, was regarded as the most influential center of power within the university.


English College in Douai (1562–1793)

Although the University of Douai was founded on the model of Louvain, from which it drew most of its initial professors, it was also influenced by the English during its early years. Several key positions were held by Englishmen, many of whom were former scholars from
Oxford Oxford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town. The city is home to the University of Oxford, the List of oldest universities in continuou ...
. The university's first chancellor was Richard Smyth, a former Fellow of
Merton College, Oxford Merton College (in full: The House or College of Scholars of Merton in the University of Oxford) is a Colleges of the University of Oxford, constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Its foundation can be traced back to the 126 ...
, and
Regius Professor of Divinity The Regius Professorships of Divinity are amongst the oldest professorships at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. A third chair existed for a period at Trinity College Dublin. The Oxford and Cambridge chairs were founded by ...
at Oxford. Owen Lewis, a former Fellow of
New College, Oxford New College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1379 by Bishop William of Wykeham in conjunction with Winchester College as New College's feeder school, New College was one of the first col ...
, who had also held the corresponding position at Oxford, served for many years as the Regius Professor of Canon Law at Douai. The first principal of Marchiennes College was Richard White (also known as Richard Gwyn), another former Fellow of New College. Additionally, William Allen, after earning his licentiate at Douai in 1560, became the university's Regius Professor of Divinity.That is, the holder of a chair founded by
King Philip II of Spain King is a royal title given to a male monarch. A king is an Absolute monarchy, absolute monarch if he holds unrestricted Government, governmental power or exercises full sovereignty over a nation. Conversely, he is a Constitutional monarchy, ...
, and not a
Regius Professor A Regius Professor is a university Professor (highest academic rank), professor who has, or originally had, Monarchy of the United Kingdom, royal patronage or appointment. They are a unique feature of academia in the United Kingdom and Republic ...
of the kind at
Oxford Oxford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town. The city is home to the University of Oxford, the List of oldest universities in continuou ...
and
Cambridge Cambridge ( ) is a List of cities in the United Kingdom, city and non-metropolitan district in the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It is the county town of Cambridgeshire and is located on the River Cam, north of London. As of the 2021 Unit ...
.
The founding of the University of Douai coincided with the presence of a significant number of English Catholics who had settled in Douai following the accession of
Elizabeth I Elizabeth I (7 September 153324 March 1603) was List of English monarchs, Queen of England and List of Irish monarchs, Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 1603. She was the last and longest reigning monarch of the House of Tudo ...
and the reimposition of Protestantism in England. This community, along with the role of the university, inspired William Allen to establish a seminary in Douai in 1569 for English Catholic priests. The seminary’s studies were partially linked to the university, and priests were trained there to return to England. It was at this English College in Douai that the English translation of the Bible, known as the Douay–Rheims Version, was completed in 1609. However, the first English Catholic Bible combining the Rheims New Testament and the Douay Old Testament into a single volume was not printed until 1764.


Scottish College in Douai (1573–1802)

The Scottish College was established in 1573 by Bishop
John Lesley John Lesley (or Leslie) (29 September 1527 – 31 May 1596) was a Scottish Roman Catholic bishop and historian. His father was Gavin Lesley, rector of Kingussie, Badenoch. Early career He was educated at the University of Aberdeen, where he ...
, who opposed the
Scottish Reformation The Scottish Reformation was the process whereby Kingdom of Scotland, Scotland broke away from the Catholic Church, and established the Protestant Church of Scotland. It forms part of the wider European 16th-century Protestant Reformation. Fr ...
and the destabilization of the
Auld Alliance The Auld Alliance ( Scots for "Old Alliance") was an alliance between the kingdoms of Scotland and France against England made in 1295. The Scots word ''auld'', meaning ''old'', has become a partly affectionate term for the long-lasting asso ...
between France and Scotland by Protestant England. It was later refounded in 1608. After Douai's conquest by the French, Scots residing there automatically held dual French and Scottish citizenship under the
Auld Alliance The Auld Alliance ( Scots for "Old Alliance") was an alliance between the kingdoms of Scotland and France against England made in 1295. The Scots word ''auld'', meaning ''old'', has become a partly affectionate term for the long-lasting asso ...
. The college in Douai became a hub for scholars from the Scottish Stuart supporter movement and a refuge for exiles from the
Jacobite risings Jacobitism was a political ideology advocating the restoration of the senior line of the House of Stuart to the Monarchy of the United Kingdom, British throne. When James II of England chose exile after the November 1688 Glorious Revolution, ...
, particularly between 1688 and 1692. Historical collections were deposited at the college by King
James II of England and VII of Scotland James II and VII (14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701) was King of England and Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII from the death of his elder brother, Charles II, on 6 February 1685, until he was deposed in the 1688 Glori ...
—the last Catholic monarch of Great Britain—as well as by other exiled Scottish Catholics.


Irish College in Douai (1603–1905)

St. Patrick's Irish College of Douai was founded in 1603 by Christopher Cusack, with the support of
Philip III of Spain Philip III (; 14 April 1578 – 31 March 1621) was King of Spain and King of Portugal, Portugal (where he is known as Philip II of Portugal) during the Iberian Union. His reign lasted from 1598 until his death in 1621. He held dominion over the S ...
, an ally of the Irish Catholics in their resistance to the colonization of Ireland by English power. Hugh Ó Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone and leader of the Irish resistance during the
Nine Years' War The Nine Years' War was a European great power conflict from 1688 to 1697 between Kingdom of France, France and the Grand Alliance (League of Augsburg), Grand Alliance. Although largely concentrated in Europe, fighting spread to colonial poss ...
, stayed at Douai University on his way into exile from Ireland to Rome in 1607. The Irish College was officially attached to the Faculty of Theology at the University of Douai in 1610.


Bronchorst scholarship foundation (1629)

By his will dated 20 June 1629, Henry Bronchorst established a scholarship for a period of nine years to support members of the
Seven Noble Houses of Brussels The Seven Noble Houses of Brussels (also called the Seven Lineages or Seven Patrician Families of Brussels; ; ; ) were the seven families or "Lineage (anthropology), lineages" whose descendants formed the Patrician (post-Roman Europe), patricia ...
in studying at the University of Douai. This explains the significant number of members of the Brussels magistracy who were educated at this university.


Other foundations

The town was a vibrant center of Catholic life, and connected with the university were not only the English College, but also the Irish and
Scottish Scottish usually refers to something of, from, or related to Scotland, including: *Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family native to Scotland *Scottish English *Scottish national identity, the Scottish ide ...
colleges (i.e., seminaries), as well as Benedictine, Jesuit, and Franciscan houses. For a time, there was also a Charterhouse. The Collège d'Anchin opened a few months after the English College, endowed by the Abbot of the nearby monastery of Anchin, and entrusted to the
Jesuits The Society of Jesus (; abbreviation: S.J. or SJ), also known as the Jesuit Order or the Jesuits ( ; ), is a religious order (Catholic), religious order of clerics regular of pontifical right for men in the Catholic Church headquartered in Rom ...
. In 1570, the Abbot of Marchiennes founded a college for the study of law. The Abbot of Saint-Vast also founded a college bearing his name. Later additions included the College of St. Thomas Aquinas, belonging to the Dominicans, the Collège du Roi, and others. The
Benedictine The Benedictines, officially the Order of Saint Benedict (, abbreviated as O.S.B. or OSB), are a mainly contemplative monastic order of the Catholic Church for men and for women who follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. Initiated in 529, th ...
s established a college in Douai, founded by
Augustine Bradshaw Dom Augustine Bradshaw (1575–1618) was a Benedictine monk. Born John Bradshaw near Worcester in 1575 to recusant Roman Catholic parents, he was sent to Royal Grammar School Worcester (a "free school", i.e. with no religious affiliation). He w ...
in 1605, in rented apartments belonging to the Collège d'Anchin. A few years later, through the generosity of
Philippe de Caverel Philippe de Caverel, Latinisation of names, Latinized as Philippus Caverellius (1555–1636), was an abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of St Vaast, Arras, and a councillor of state to the Archdukes Albert VII, Archduke of Austria, Albert and Isab ...
, Abbot of the Monastery of Saint-Vaast, they obtained land and built a monastery, which opened in 1611. The house gained a high reputation for learning and was rebuilt between 1776 and 1781. Many professors of the university were at various times chosen from among its members. The Anglo-Benedictines went into English exile during the French Revolution and were the only Douai institution to retain their ancient monastery afterward. When the community of St. Gregory was permanently established at Downside, they handed over their house in Douai to the community of St. Edmund, which had previously been located in Paris. These Benedictines continued to operate a school in Douai until 1903, when
Waldeck-Rousseau Pierre Marie René Ernest Waldeck-Rousseau (; 2 December 184610 August 1904) was a French Republican politician who served for three years as the Prime Minister of France. Early life Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau was born in Nantes, Brittany. His ...
's 1901 Law of Associations forced them to leave France. They returned to England and settled at Woolhampton, near Reading, where they founded
Douai Abbey Douai Abbey is a Benedictine Abbey at Upper Woolhampton, near Thatcham, in the English county of Berkshire, situated within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth. Monks from the monastery of St. Edmund's, in Douai, France, came to Woolhampt ...
, known for its school,
Douai School Douai School was a public ( fee-charging boarding) school run by the Douai Abbey Benedictine community at Woolhampton, England, until it closed in 1999. History 1615–1818 The monastic community was founded in Paris in 1615 and moved ...
, which closed in 1999. The Benedictine and Franciscan houses in Douai were located near each other and were both closely connected to the restoration of their respective orders in England. The Franciscan monastery was primarily founded through the efforts of Father John Gennings, the brother of the martyr
Edmund Gennings Edmund Gennings (1567 – 10 December 1591), was an English martyr, who was executed during the English Reformation for being a Roman Catholic priest. He came from Lichfield, Staffordshire. Life Gennings was born at Lichfield in 1567. A thoug ...
. It was established in temporary quarters in 1618, with students attending the Jesuit schools during this time. By 1621, however, the Franciscans had built their own monastery and provided all necessary tuition within their own walls.


Heyday

In the 18th century, the University of Douai was the second largest in the Kingdom of France by student enrollment, with total registrations ranging between 1,500 and 2,000.


Closed university during the French Revolution (1795–1808)

The university was suppressed during the French Revolution, and its library holdings were transferred to the town's Bibliothèque Municipale (founded by
Louis XV Louis XV (15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774), known as Louis the Beloved (), was King of France from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774. He succeeded his great-grandfather Louis XIV at the age of five. Until he reached maturity (then defi ...
in 1767), which also received the collections of the Jesuits from the Collège d'Anchin. However, much of these collections were destroyed when the library was set on
fire Fire is the rapid oxidation of a fuel in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction Product (chemistry), products. Flames, the most visible portion of the fire, are produced in the combustion re ...
following a bombing on 11 August 1944, during the aftermath of the World War II
Normandy landings The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on 6 June 1944 of the Allies of World War II, Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during the Second World War. Codenamed Operation Neptune and ...
.


Modern university of Douai (1808–1887)

The Faculties of Letters and Sciences in Douai were re-established in 1808. Douai regained a Faculty of Law in 1854,Louis Pasteur, ''Discours prononcé à Douai, le 7 décembre 1854''. Installation solennelle de la faculté des lettres de Douai et de la Faculté des sciences de Lille. Douai: A. d'Aubers, 1854. but in 1887, this faculty was transferred to
Lille Lille (, ; ; ; ; ) is a city in the northern part of France, within French Flanders. Positioned along the Deûle river, near France's border with Belgium, it is the capital of the Hauts-de-France Regions of France, region, the Prefectures in F ...
. Currently, the
University of Lille The University of Lille (, abbreviated as ULille, UDL or univ-lille) is a French public research university based in Lille, Hauts-de-France. It has its origins in the University of Douai (1559), and resulted from the merger of three universities ...
and Artois University, which are part of the Community of Universities and Institutions Lille Nord de France, consider themselves successors to Philip II's University of Douai.


Transformation as University of Lille (1896)

In 1887, all faculties in Douai were relocated to the neighbouring city of
Lille Lille (, ; ; ; ; ) is a city in the northern part of France, within French Flanders. Positioned along the Deûle river, near France's border with Belgium, it is the capital of the Hauts-de-France Regions of France, region, the Prefectures in F ...
. The
University of Lille The University of Lille (, abbreviated as ULille, UDL or univ-lille) is a French public research university based in Lille, Hauts-de-France. It has its origins in the University of Douai (1559), and resulted from the merger of three universities ...
was officially established in 1896, encompassing all faculties, including Sciences, Law, Medicine and Pharmacy, and Literature and Humanities.


Faculties


Faculties of the old University of Douai


Faculty of Arts (1562–1795)

The Faculty of Arts in Douai was highly active and conferred
Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA or AM) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Those admitted to the degree have ...
degrees, which were a prerequisite for studying theology and law. Just as at the universities of Louvain and Paris, obtaining this MA degree from the Faculty of Arts was the first and mandatory step before pursuing studies in other faculties. The University of Douai was renowned for its philosophy and mathematics, particularly through (or in competition with) the Jesuit college. "The Faculty of Arts had three chairs (History, Hebrew, Greek) until 1704, when a chair in mathematics was created (...). A chair in hydrography has been in place since 1704." Among the faculties, it was Mathematics in the sixteenth century, and the reshaping of the Mathematics chair by the Marquis de Pommereuil in 1705, that brought new prominence to optics, geometry, astronomy, architecture, the military use of alloy chemistry, and trigonometry, ensuring the training of skilled army officers. Mathematics and science in Douai were made illustrious in the early seventeenth century by the mathematician Charles Malapert, who discovered sunspots—probably before Kircher, whom he met in
Ingolstadt Ingolstadt (; Austro-Bavarian language, Austro-Bavarian: ) is an Independent city#Germany, independent city on the Danube, in Upper Bavaria, with 142,308 inhabitants (as of 31 December 2023). Around half a million people live in the metropolitan ...
. In the second half of the century, by Anthony Thomas, a Jesuit who succeeded Verbiest in China and chaired the tribunal of Mathematics in Beijing. This correspondent of the Academy of Sciences left behind a major work. In 1679, the first school for artillery officers in France was established in Douai by King
Louis XIV LouisXIV (Louis-Dieudonné; 5 September 16381 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great () or the Sun King (), was King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. His verified reign of 72 years and 110 days is the List of longest-reign ...
. In the eighteenth century, the Douai faculty emphasized mathematical logic in philosophy. This focus led to the growth of knowledge in areas such as physics—mechanics, mathematics, optics, perspective, astronomy, cosmography, and elements of natural history (chemistry, history, geography, philology). This emphasis on mathematics was crucial for the training of military and naval officers. Douai also boasted a rich library, a museum of ethnology and archaeology, and a museum of natural sciences. Despite the Church's distrust of the sciences, Douai closely followed scientific developments, which stimulated further discoveries. It was not until 1750 that the French language supplanted Latin, though this process was not completed until the French Revolution. By the French law of 8 Prairial IV (1795), the École centrale de Lille was established in the neighbouring city of
Lille Lille (, ; ; ; ; ) is a city in the northern part of France, within French Flanders. Positioned along the Deûle river, near France's border with Belgium, it is the capital of the Hauts-de-France Regions of France, region, the Prefectures in F ...
, not in Douai, as the successor to the Douai Faculty of Arts. Douai itself regained a science faculty only in 1808.


Faculty of Theology (1562–1793)

It was within this faculty that the
Douay–Rheims Bible The Douay–Rheims Bible (, ), also known as the Douay–Rheims Version, Rheims–Douai Bible or Douai Bible, and abbreviated as D–R, DRB, and DRV, is a translation of the Bible from the Latin Vulgate into English made by member ...
was produced. The Faculty of Theology offered three two-year courses, leading to the successive degrees of Bachelor, Licentiate, and Doctor. One prominent professor was Willem Hessels van Est, a commentator on the Pauline epistles. He studied classics at
Utrecht Utrecht ( ; ; ) is the List of cities in the Netherlands by province, fourth-largest city of the Netherlands, as well as the capital and the most populous city of the Provinces of the Netherlands, province of Utrecht (province), Utrecht. The ...
and later spent around twenty years at Louvain, focusing on philosophy, theology, and Holy Scripture. In 1580, he earned the degree of Doctor of Theology. In 1582, he became a Professor of Theology at Douai, a position he held for thirty-one years. For the last eighteen years of his life, he also served as Chancellor of the University, in addition to being the rector of the diocesan seminary for many years. Estius's works, written in Latin, were mostly published posthumously. Other notable faculty members included Leonardus Lessius (1554–1623), a professor of philosophy; François du Bois; Franciscus Sylvius (1581–1649), a professor of theology and vice-chancellor of the University; Nemius Gaspard Dubois; George Colveneere; and Philippe Bossuet Cospéan, who was actively involved in the Douai controversy. Major doctrinal debates took place within the Faculty of Theology, beginning with opposition to
Gallicanism Gallicanism is the belief that popular secular authority—often represented by the monarch's or the state's authority—over the Catholic Church is comparable to that of the pope. Gallicanism is a rejection of ultramontanism; it has something ...
and the ''Déclaration des Quatre Articles,'' which was originally contested at Douai in 1683, and later involving conflicts between Jesuits and Jansenists. After the initial European acclaim brought by Estius, "the Faculty of Theology became the most prestigious of all.
René Descartes René Descartes ( , ; ; 31 March 1596 – 11 February 1650) was a French philosopher, scientist, and mathematician, widely considered a seminal figure in the emergence of modern philosophy and Modern science, science. Mathematics was paramou ...
visited several times to discuss his ''
Discourse on the Method ''Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting One's Reason and of Seeking Truth in the Sciences'' () is a philosophical and autobiographical treatise published by René Descartes in 1637. It is best known as the source of the famous quotation ...
'' with academics, particularly Francis Sylvius," who was regarded as one of the greatest theologians of his century and a leading figure at the university. Sylvius notably opposed the Augustinus of the Bishop of Ypres, Cornelius Jansen. In 1692, during an episode referred to as the ''Fourberie de Douai'' (Cheating of Douai), pro-Jansenist academics were exiled by ''lettres de cachet''.


Faculty of Law (1562–1795)

The faculties of Canon Law and Civil Law were highly active from the establishment of the University of Douai until the French Revolution. The Parliament of Flanders, which had its seat in Douai from 1713, later became the Court of Appeal of Douai. This development further encouraged the growth and prominence of law schools in the city. One notable student of the Douai Faculty of Law was
Philippe-Antoine Merlin de Douai Philippe-Antoine Merlin, known as Merlin de Douai (, 30 October 1754 – 26 December 1838), was a French politician and lawyer. Early life Merlin de Douai was born at Arleux, Nord, and was called to the Flemish bar association in 1775. He coll ...
. The law schools in Douai trained many prominent lawyers from Flanders, including Adrian Maillart, François Modius, François Patou, Jacques Pollet, Mathieu Pinault, César Baggio, and Bertrand Cahuac.


Faculty of Medicine (1562–1793)

The Faculty of Medicine in Douai, though overshadowed by more renowned institutions, was advanced for its time. It boasted a medical anatomical theater as early as 1700. Notable figures associated with the faculty include Amé Bourdon in surgery and anatomy, Michel Brisseau in ophthalmology, and
Jean-Baptiste Lestiboudois Jean-Baptiste Lestiboudois (30 January 1715, Douai – 20 March 1804, Lille) was a French botanist and pharmacist. His son François Joseph Lestiboudois (1759-1815) and grandson Gaspard Thémistocle Lestiboudois (1797-1876) were also botanist ...
in medicine and botany, reflecting the breadth of its teachings. In 1805, a school of medicine was established in
Lille Lille (, ; ; ; ; ) is a city in the northern part of France, within French Flanders. Positioned along the Deûle river, near France's border with Belgium, it is the capital of the Hauts-de-France Regions of France, region, the Prefectures in F ...
as the successor to the school of surgery founded there in 1705. This new institution overshadowed medical education in Douai and is now part of the
University of Lille The University of Lille (, abbreviated as ULille, UDL or univ-lille) is a French public research university based in Lille, Hauts-de-France. It has its origins in the University of Douai (1559), and resulted from the merger of three universities ...
.


Faculties of the modern University of Douai


Faculty of sciences (1808–1815)

A Faculty of Sciences was re-established in Douai in 1808. However, higher education in the sciences later shifted to
Lille Lille (, ; ; ; ; ) is a city in the northern part of France, within French Flanders. Positioned along the Deûle river, near France's border with Belgium, it is the capital of the Hauts-de-France Regions of France, region, the Prefectures in F ...
, where a Faculty of Sciences was inaugurated by
Louis Pasteur Louis Pasteur (, ; 27 December 1822 – 28 September 1895) was a French chemist, pharmacist, and microbiologist renowned for his discoveries of the principles of vaccination, Fermentation, microbial fermentation, and pasteurization, the la ...
. Today, its legacy is part of the
University of Lille The University of Lille (, abbreviated as ULille, UDL or univ-lille) is a French public research university based in Lille, Hauts-de-France. It has its origins in the University of Douai (1559), and resulted from the merger of three universities ...
.


Faculty of Law (1854–1887)

The Faculty of Law in Douai was moved to Lille in 1887. Its legacy is now part of the
University of Lille The University of Lille (, abbreviated as ULille, UDL or univ-lille) is a French public research university based in Lille, Hauts-de-France. It has its origins in the University of Douai (1559), and resulted from the merger of three universities ...
.


Faculty of literature (1808–1815, 1854–1887)

A Faculty of Literature was re-established in 1808 and transferred to Lille in 1887. Its legacy is now part of the
University of Lille The University of Lille (, abbreviated as ULille, UDL or univ-lille) is a French public research university based in Lille, Hauts-de-France. It has its origins in the University of Douai (1559), and resulted from the merger of three universities ...
.


Influence of the University of Douai


Dissemination of printed knowledge

Douai was a prominent center of neo-Latin literature. It was known not only for its intellectual activity but also for its many master printers, who played a key role in the dissemination of knowledge, primarily in Latin but also in French, across the Southern Netherlands.


Douay–Rheims Bible and Catholic studies

Douai was an important center for Catholic studies. When the Holy See authorized the translation of the Bible into vernacular languages, the
Douay–Rheims Bible The Douay–Rheims Bible (, ), also known as the Douay–Rheims Version, Rheims–Douai Bible or Douai Bible, and abbreviated as D–R, DRB, and DRV, is a translation of the Bible from the Latin Vulgate into English made by member ...
became the first authorized Catholic Bible translated from Latin into English in 1609. Subsequent revisions of this translation became key references for the Catholic Bible in English. It was also the Douay–Rheims Bible on which
John Fitzgerald Kennedy John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), also known as JFK, was the 35th president of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. He was the first Roman Catholic and youngest person elected p ...
took the oath of office as President of the United States in 1961. The seminars in Douai trained much of the English Catholic clergy during the Counter-Reformation. The clergy trained in Douai also spread to various colonies, including
Pierre-Philippe Potier Pierre-Philippe Potier (also Pottié, Pottié, or Pothier; April 21, 1708 in Blandain, Hainaut, Belgium – July 16, 1781 in what is now Windsor, Ontario, Canada), was a Belgian Jesuit priest, missionary to the Hurons in New France, and lexicog ...
in New France, Charles Carroll in the Maryland Colony, and
Nicolas Trigault Nicolas Trigault (1577–1628) was a Jesuit, and a missionary in China. He was also known by his latinised name Nicolaus Trigautius or Trigaultius, and his Chinese name Jin Nige (). Life and work Born in Douai (then part of the County of Flanders ...
in China.


Religious and political influence

The University of Douai was a center of religious debate with significant political implications. Created to counter the Protestant Reformation, it also challenged royal authority, particularly in its opposition to Bossuet and Gallicanism. Its independence from temporal power was rooted in its history as a border institution between the Spanish Netherlands and the Kingdom of France. The chancellors and officials of the university served as advisers to the Catholic kings of Spain and France. The board of the University of Douai maintained relations with the courts of
Louis XIV LouisXIV (Louis-Dieudonné; 5 September 16381 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great () or the Sun King (), was King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. His verified reign of 72 years and 110 days is the List of longest-reign ...
and
Louis XV Louis XV (15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774), known as Louis the Beloved (), was King of France from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774. He succeeded his great-grandfather Louis XIV at the age of five. Until he reached maturity (then defi ...
, notably through figures like Philip Cospéan and Bossuet, and also had connections with Popes who initially contributed financially to the university's endeavors. During the French Revolution in 1791, the clergy at Douai faced difficult decisions, especially when considering whether to swear an oath to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, following the papal briefs ''
Quod Aliquantum ''Quod aliquantum'' is a papal brief issued by Pius VI on 10 March 1791 in condemnation of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy adopted by the French National Assembly.Ludwig Pastor, ''The History of the Popes from the Close of the Middle Ages, ...
'' (March 10, 1791) and ''Caritas'' (April 13, 1791). These decisions were seen as a rejection of loyalty to Republican power.


Humanities and modernity

Even though many works of the 18th-century encyclopedists, such as ''The Encyclopedia'' by Diderot and d'Alembert, and later works like the ''Grand Dictionnaire Universel'' of the 19th century, were blacklisted, the university was gradually influenced by the ideas of modernity, the scientific revolution, and major discoveries. This is evident in the early work on mathematics and anatomy, which challenged the Galenic system, as well as in the changes in botanical and zoological classifications. These subjects were studied at Douai by Richard Gibbons, Charles Malapert, Amé Bourdon, and
Jean-Baptiste Lestiboudois Jean-Baptiste Lestiboudois (30 January 1715, Douai – 20 March 1804, Lille) was a French botanist and pharmacist. His son François Joseph Lestiboudois (1759-1815) and grandson Gaspard Thémistocle Lestiboudois (1797-1876) were also botanist ...
.


Notable students and faculty

* William Allen * William Bawden * George Blackwell * Amé Bourdon * John Bowles *
Charles Carroll the Settler Charles Carroll I (1661 – 1720), sometimes called Charles Carroll the Settler to differentiate him from his son and grandson, was an Irish-born planter and lawyer who spent most of his life in the English Province of Maryland. Carroll, a Cathol ...
*
Richard Challoner Richard Challoner (29 September 1691 – 12 January 1781) was an English Catholic prelate who served as Vicar Apostolic of the London District during the greater part of the 18th century, and as Titular Bishop of Doberus. In 1738, he publishe ...
*
François d'Aguilon François d'Aguilon (; also d'Aguillon or in Latin Franciscus Aguilonius) (4 January 1567 – 20 March 1617) was a Jesuit, mathematician, physicist, and architect from the Spanish Netherlands. D'Aguilon was born in Brussels; his father was a sec ...
* Cornelis de Jode *
Thomas Dempster Thomas Dempster (23 August 1579 – 6 September 1625) was a Scottish scholar and historian. Born into the aristocracy in Aberdeenshire, which comprises regions of both the Scottish highlands and the Scottish lowlands, he was sent abroad as a yo ...
*
Franciscus Sylvius Franciscus Sylvius (, ; born Franz de le Boë; 15 March 1614 – 19 November 1672) was a Dutch physician and scientist (chemist, physiologist and anatomist) who was an early champion of Descartes', Van Helmont's and William Harvey's work ...
*
Grégoire de Saint-Vincent Grégoire de Saint-Vincent () - in Latin : Gregorius a Sancto Vincentio, in Dutch : Gregorius van St-Vincent - (8 September 1584 Bruges – 5 June 1667 Ghent) was a Flemish Jesuit and mathematician. He is remembered for his work on quadrature of ...
*
Olivier De Wree Olivier de Wree (1596–1652), pen name Latinized as Olivarius Vredius, was a Neo-Latin poet and historian from the Spanish Netherlands. Life Born in Bruges on 28 September 1596, De Wree was educated at Jesuit schools there and at Douai. After tr ...
* Nicholas Fitzherbert * Edward Hawarden * Giles Hussey *
Cuthbert Mayne Cuthbert Mayne (c. 1543–29 November 1577) was an Catholic Church in England and Wales, English Catholic priest executed under the laws of Elizabeth I of England, Elizabeth I. He was the first of the seminary priests trained on the Continental ...
*
Philippe-Antoine Merlin de Douai Philippe-Antoine Merlin, known as Merlin de Douai (, 30 October 1754 – 26 December 1838), was a French politician and lawyer. Early life Merlin de Douai was born at Arleux, Nord, and was called to the Flemish bar association in 1775. He coll ...
*
Daniel O'Connell Daniel(I) O’Connell (; 6 August 1775 – 15 May 1847), hailed in his time as The Liberator, was the acknowledged political leader of Ireland's Roman Catholic majority in the first half of the 19th century. His mobilisation of Catholic Irelan ...
* Georges Palante * John Payne * Robert Southwell * Honoré Tournély *
Charles Townley Charles Townley FRS (1 October 1737 – 3 January 1805) was a wealthy English country gentleman, antiquary and collector, a member of the Towneley family. He travelled on three Grand Tours to Italy, buying antique sculpture, vases, coins, man ...
*
Nicolas Trigault Nicolas Trigault (1577–1628) was a Jesuit, and a missionary in China. He was also known by his latinised name Nicolaus Trigautius or Trigaultius, and his Chinese name Jin Nige (). Life and work Born in Douai (then part of the County of Flanders ...
* Jean Vendeville *
Peter Wadding Peter Wadding ( – 13 September 1644) was an Irish Jesuit theologian. Life Born at Waterford in 1581 or 1583, he was son of Thomas Wadding and his wife, Mary Walsh. Both father and mother are said to have been of good family. According to Lege ...


See also

*
List of early modern universities in Europe The list of early modern universities in Europe comprises all University, universities that existed in the early modern age (1501–1800) in Europe. It also includes short-lived foundations and educational institutions whose university status is ...


Notes


Sources

*
FASTI
a project on the history of universities * H. de Ridder-Symoens, "The Place of the University of Douai in the Peregrinatio Academica Britannica", in ''Lines of Contact: Proceedings of the Second Conference of Belgian, British, Irish and Dutch historians of universities held in St Anne's College, Oxford, 15–17 September 1989'', edited by Hilde De Ridder-Symoens and John M. Fletcher (Ghent, 1994), pp. 21–34. * Andreas Loewe, "Richard Smyth and the Foundation of the University of Douai", ''Nederlands Archief voor Kerkgeschiedenis'', 79 II (1999). * Andreas Loewe, ''Richard Smyth and the Language of Orthodoxy : Re-Imagining Tudor Catholic Polemicism'', Brill, Leiden, 2003 (= ''Studies in Medieval and Reformation Traditions'').


Attribution


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:University of Douai
University of Douai The University of Douai (; ) was a historic university in Douai, France. With a medieval tradition of scholarly activity in the city, the university was established in 1559, and lectures began in 1562. It ceased operations from 1795 to 1808. In ...
Defunct universities and colleges in France History of Nord (French department) Universities in Hauts-de-France 1562 establishments in France Educational institutions established in the 1560s 1795 disestablishments in France
University of Douai The University of Douai (; ) was a historic university in Douai, France. With a medieval tradition of scholarly activity in the city, the university was established in 1559, and lectures began in 1562. It ceased operations from 1795 to 1808. In ...