Authentica habita
Encyclopedia
The Authentica Habita was a document written in 1155 by the Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa
. In it, he set out for the first time some of the rules, rights and privileges of Universities. It is a key founding document in the history of the Medieval University
in Europe.
Scholars from all over Europe had begun to travel to Bologna to study civil and canon law, and newly rediscovered works of Roman law, from the mid 11th century. As foreigners there, they found themselves without legal protection. A particular difficulty was the practice of the Right of Reprisal, where their property could be seized on foot of debts incurred by their countrymen.
The document grants several rights and protections to scholars including:
The document was subsequently confirmed by Pope Alexander III
. The Emperor incorporated the document into Justinian’s Codex, the extant body of Roman law, indicating its significance.
One medieval commentary to the document exists, written by Bartolomeo Bolognini in 1492.
Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick I Barbarossa was a German Holy Roman Emperor. He was elected King of Germany at Frankfurt on 4 March 1152 and crowned in Aachen on 9 March, crowned King of Italy in Pavia in 1155, and finally crowned Roman Emperor by Pope Adrian IV, on 18 June 1155, and two years later in 1157 the term...
. In it, he set out for the first time some of the rules, rights and privileges of Universities. It is a key founding document in the history of the Medieval University
Medieval university
Medieval university is an institution of higher learning which was established during High Middle Ages period and is a corporation.The first institutions generally considered to be universities were established in Italy, France, and England in the late 11th and the 12th centuries for the study of...
in Europe.
Scholars from all over Europe had begun to travel to Bologna to study civil and canon law, and newly rediscovered works of Roman law, from the mid 11th century. As foreigners there, they found themselves without legal protection. A particular difficulty was the practice of the Right of Reprisal, where their property could be seized on foot of debts incurred by their countrymen.
The document grants several rights and protections to scholars including:
- Similar immunities and freedoms as those held by the clergy, provided they conformed to certain attributes, such as clerical dress;
- Freedom of movement and travel for the purposes of study;
- Immunity from the right of reprisal; and
- The right to be tried by their masters, or the Bishops court, rather than local civil courts.
The document was subsequently confirmed by Pope Alexander III
Pope Alexander III
Pope Alexander III , born Rolando of Siena, was Pope from 1159 to 1181. He is noted in history for laying the foundation stone for the Notre Dame de Paris.-Church career:...
. The Emperor incorporated the document into Justinian’s Codex, the extant body of Roman law, indicating its significance.
One medieval commentary to the document exists, written by Bartolomeo Bolognini in 1492.