Luciana Cioca: New Proofs of Scholarly Dynamic at the Beginning of the Viennese Faculty of Theology: The Vesperies of Petrus de Pulkau (∼1370-1425)
The article focuses on Petrus de Pulkau's vesperial disputation as part of the 'Vienna Group' and in light of the new research on the University of Vienna and, in particular, the Faculty of Theology in the 14th and 15th centuries. The aim of this study is to offer an edition of Pulkau's vesperies in the context of the ongoing research into the history of vesperial dispu- tations. Pulkau's question contains useful material not only for documenting the university practices at Vienna, but also for documenting the larger debate around Wyclifism and its sources during his time. It is perhaps with regards to the latter that his text has been copied in several manuscripts. Because the vesperies are an academic exercise needed to attain the title of 'doctor in theology', an interest in a fully edited version of their contents which is then copied multiple times suggests an interest in the subject matter that lasts beyond the confines of the doctoral exam. In addition to his contributions to the ever-evolving doctrinal space, Pulkau's vesperial question serves to enrich our understanding of the academic structures and mechanics that created the favourable conditions for such a space to exist and evolve.
Keywords: Petrus de Pulkau - vesperial disputations - University of Vienna - Wyclifism