Scripta minora 21

Olle Ferm and Sara Risberg (eds.), Swedish Students at the University of Leipzig in the Middle Ages (2014). 150 SEK.

More than 200 Swedes studied in Leipzig between 1409 – when the University was founded – and 1520, when Swedes instead began to prefer the Universities of Greifswald, Rostock, and Wittenberg. In Leipzig, the Swedish students did well. Many graduated and could return home to service within the Church. The best students were recruited by the Cathedral Chapters and Royal chanceries.

Amonmg those most prominent were Kristoffer Larsson, who became Dean in Leipzig in 1437 and Rector in 1438; and Erik Nilsson, who was Rector in 1487. Several studies in this volume are devoted to their theological writings from Leipzig and from Sweden. Also included are some editions of letters: Kristoffer Larsson’s letters of 1434 from the Council of Basel, which he attended during a break in his studies, and Karl Johansson’s letter from 1424, when he had arrived in Leipzig to study canon law. Karl’s letter is rich in detail about university life and his situation in Sweden.