The
founding of the University occurred during the great schism in the Catholic
Church, when there were rival claimants to the Church leadership. Scotland
recognised the Avignon Pope, Benedict XIII. It was therefore from him that the
authorities in St Andrews sought approval. France, however, had turned
against Benedict, forcing him to flee Avignon and take up exile in Peniscola in
Aragon. Hence the papal bulls, the founding documents of the University, six in
total, issued in 1413, arrived in St Andrews from Spain early the following
year.
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Papal bull from 1413
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Being the
ecclesiastical capital of Scotland, St Andrews experienced the full force of
the Reformation with the sacking of the cathedral in 1559, instigated by the
fiery preaching of the reformer John Knox. Inspiration for reform came to
Scotland from figures such as Martin Luther in Germany and John Calvin in Switzerland.
The University adjusted to the new circumstances and, by the end of the 16th
century, itself became a centre of protestant theology, attracting scholars
from many parts of Europe including the Low Countries, Germany and Scandinavia.
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St Salvator's quadrangle
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After a
period of decline, the fortunes of the University began to improve at the end
of the 19th century. Growth continued in the 20th century and, in recent years,
St Andrews has become one of the most international universities in the United
Kingdom. Extensive links with North America have been supplemented by an influx
of students and staff mainly from elsewhere in Europe but also from across the
world. In 2020, over 130 different nationalities were represented in the
University, numerous among them being students from other parts of Europe, many
benefitting from the Erasmus+ European Union educational exchange
scheme. (However, following the departure from the European Union, the United
Kingdom is no longer participating in these arrangements.)
In 2016 the University took an important step towards
becoming carbon neutral for energy usage by inaugurating a biomass heating
plant in nearby Guardbridge. Hot water, produced with sustainable natural
fuels, is pumped four miles underground to heat University buildings. The
project was financed with the aid of a joint Scottish Government and European
Union initiative.
On
leaving the quadrangle walk down Butts Wynd, then turn right into The Scores
towards the castle. (If access to the quadrangle is closed, it may be viewed
through a gate in Butts Wynd.) To your left along The Scores you will pass the
University of St Andrews Wardlaw Museum. The one
surviving founding papal bull issued by Benedict XIII is occasionally on display. (Admission to the museum
is free.)
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Papal bull image © University of St Andrews, CC BY-NC 4.0, courtesy University of
St Andrews Libraries and Museums, ID: UY100
St Salvator's quadrangle image © University of St Andrews
