ABSTRACT
One of the most arresting features of the government of the medieval English Universities is the extent to which it was conducted by members of the teaching staff. There can be no doubt that before 1500 the faculties of arts in the English Universities made a major contribution to university government. Apart from their decisive role in university assemblies, the artists elected the proctors and provided an imposing legion of regents in arts to serve as administrative officials. In reviewing the government and organization of the medieval English Universities, it would clearly be a simplification to regard the constitutions of Oxford and Cambridge as diluted replicas of the Parisian magisterial system. The faculties of arts at Oxford and Cambridge enjoyed a prominence in the governmental affairs of the Universities almost as pronounced as that of the Parisian arts faculty in those of Paris.
