The Funding of Hispanic Universities in the Middle Ages (13th-15th centuries)

Abstract

This paper studies the funding models of medieval universities in the Crowns of Castile and Aragon during their initial stage in the Middle Ages. The comparison between the models reveals differences and similarities. The former are related to the role that the monarchy, the pontificate, bishops and their cathedral chapters, and municipal corporations played in their origin and development in the Late Middle Age. The similarities are seen in the administration and the types of sources of income, which proved to be insufficient and unstable. The financial weakness of the medieval universities meant that they constantly needed to resort to pontifical protection. Moreover, the cities and urban oligarchies who ruled them were not always committed firmly and effectively to these new educational institutions.