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2. In 1200 Philip Augustus of France made certain regulations regarding
the protection of students at Paris, and entrusted their execution to
the Provost of that city. This is the earliest known charter of
privileges for Paris. It should be read in connection with the following
selection. For the text in full see D.C. Munro, _l.c._ p. 4.
Small causes, great events! As is narrated in the contemporary account
given below, a simple tavern brawl led to the granting of these
extensive privileges. This is one among many examples of the way in
which the universities turned similar events to their own advantage. The
passage also exhibits a typical conflict between town and gown.
On the dissension which existed between the Scholars and the
Citizens of Paris. [1200 A.D.]
In that same year a grave dissension arose between the scholars
and the citizens of Paris, the origin of which was as follows:
There was at Paris a notable German scholar who was bishop-elect
of Liege. His servant, while buying wine at a tavern, was beaten
and his wine jar was broken. When this was known, the German
clerks came together and entering the tavern they wounded the
host, and having beaten him they went off, leaving him half dead.
Therefore there was an outcry among the people and the city was
stirred, so that Thomas, the Provost of Paris, under arms, and
with an armed mob of citizens, broke into the Hall of the German
clerks, and in their combat that notable scholar who was
bishop-elect of Liege, was killed, with some of his people.
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