The Kingdom of Sicily and the Early University Movement

The kingdom of Sicily is rarely afforded a prominent place in the early development of the medieval university, and analysis of its contribution is largely dominated by the perceived peculiarities of the university of Naples, founded by Frederick II in 1224. This article reinterprets southern Italy’s contribution during the formative period of the university movement, as well as the apparent atypical characteristics of the university at Naples and its significance. It emphasizes the important role played by South Italian students and masters across Europe in the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. In addition, it provides evidence for a range of commonalities between Naples and other universities, suggesting that, in the context of origins, objectives, and the nature of learning, it was not an entirely exceptional institution. The article also identifies the areas in which the university impacted internally within the kingdom of Sicily.