Monday, February 6, 2017

Thomas Aquinas, rabble rouser

"During the winter of 1255-56, the Dominicans [(frères)] were assailed in the streets and the [Couvent des Jacobins de la rue] Saint-Jacques had to be guarded by the king's archers.  It was under their protection that Thomas [Aquinas] delivered his inaugural lecture, though [(et)] the protestors [incited by the secular masters of the University of Paris] kept those outside from making their way in [(de s'y rendre) to hear him]."

     Jean-Pierre Torrell, “Thomas d’Aquin,” Dictionnaire de spiritualité 15 (1991), col. 728 (718-773), citing "Chartul[arium Universitatis parisiensis, ed. Denifle (Paris:  Fratres Delalain, 1889-1897), vol. 1,] no. 279-280, pp. 318-23."  Unfortunately, both of these two documents are dated mid and 17 June 1256 respectively, and, so, must not refer to the events of the winter of 1256-1257.  A few lines later, Torrell cites also nos. 293 (pp. 338-340) and 317 (pp. 364-367), though I have not checked those.  Weisheipl, pp. 110 ff., mentions neither the physical assaults nor the bodyguard.
     I wonder if anyone has painted any of these scenes.

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