Est. 1250 Oldest Education – University Of Paris Founded By King Philip II & Pope Innocent III

The University of Paris (French: Université de Paris), metonymically known as the Sorbonne, was the leading university in Paris, France, active from 1150 to 1970, with the exception between 1793 and 1806 under the French Revolution. Emerging around 1150 as a corporation associated with the cathedral school of Notre Dame de Paris, it was considered the second-oldest university in Europe.

Officially chartered in 1200 by King Philip II of France and recognized in 1215 by Pope Innocent III, it was later often nicknamed after its theological College of Sorbonne, in turn, founded by Robert de Sorbon and chartered by French King Saint Louis around 1257. Above the seal image left is King Philip II. On the right is Pope Innocent III. 

“Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development..” 

Kofi Annan

Philip transformed France into the most prosperous and powerful country in Europe. He checked the power of the nobles and helped the towns free themselves from seigneurial authority, granting privileges and liberties to the emergent bourgeoisie. He built a great wall around Paris (“the Wall of Philip II Augustus”), reorganized the French government, and brought financial stability to his country.

The seal is that of Isabella of Hainault (5 April 1170 – 15 March 1190) was a Queen of France as the first wife of King Philip II. She was also formally ruling Countess of Artois de jure between 1180 and 1190. She is buried at Notre Dame de Paris, France.

Source: Article Wikipedia – images Isabella of Hainault. (2022, September 21). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_of_Hainault. Fair Use Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fairuse” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.