PETER OF AILLY (ALLIACO)

French scholastic theologian, cardinal; b. Compiègne, 1350; d. Avignon, Aug. 9, 1420.

Life. He began his study of philosophy in 1363 at the College of Navarre in Paris, where he became master in arts in 1368 and was influenced by the ideals of roger bacon. Beginning theological studies in 1372, he commented on the Sentences in 1375 (4th ed. Venice 1500), deeply influenced by the nominalism of william of ockham. As delegate of the "French nation," he presented the university's obedience to clement vii in Avignon in the spring of 1379. Becoming master of theology and professor at the Sorbonne on April 11, 1381, he defended before the royal council the authority and right of a general council to end the western schism. Appointed rector of the College of Navarre in 1384, he became extremely active in academic, ecclesiastical, and political affairs. When John of Montson attacked the doctrine of the immaculate conception in 1387 and appealed to the pope in the matter, Peter energetically defended the doctrine before Clement VII. His most illustrious pupil was Jean gerson. On Oct. 7, 1389, Peter became university chancellor. In 1390 or 1391 he was appointed chaplain and confessor to Charles VI and (1391) archdeacon of Cambrai. The pope named him bishop of Laon, but the king, not wishing to release him, made him treasurer of Sainte-Chapelle and allowed him to retain his many lucrative benefices; he had as many as 14 benefices at one time. On April 2, 1395, benedict xiii appointed him bishop of Le Puy; although consecrated, he never visited his see. He was made archbishop of Cambrai on June 5,1397.

Although he was convinced that the schism could be repaired only by a general council, which he considered to be higher than a pope, he held a moderate position at the 1406 synod of Paris that considered withdrawing obedience from Benedict XIII, the antipope. He arrived too late at the Council of pisa to exert any influence. The antipope

john xxiii won his allegiance by creating him cardinal (Dec. 19, 1412) and administrator of Limoges and Orange and appointing him legate to Germany (March 18, 1413). At the Council of constance (1414–18), which he himself had prepared, he adopted an opportunist attitude, changing views whenever it seemed useful to reach agreement. The legitimate pope, martin v, elected at the council, appointed him legate at Avignon, where he died. His body was brought to Cambrai in 1422.

Works and Influence. His 175 writings [listed by P. Tschackert, Peter von Ailli (Gotha 1877) 348–366] cover practically the whole domain of human knowledge of concern to his contemporaries. Most of them, however, concern canon law and theories pertaining to the constitution of the Church. Among his more influential works, besides the commentary on the Sentences, are Tractatus brevis de anima (ed. Paris 1503), Destructiones modorum significandi, Libellus sacramentalis (ed. Louvain 1487), Imago mundi (ed. Louvain 1480; Paris 1930), De materia concilii generalis tres partes, Tractatus super reformatione ecclesiae [ed. in Joannis Gersonis Opera omnia (Antwerp 1706) 2:903–916], and Tractatus et sermones (ed. Brussels c. 1484).

Although facile and versatile, he was frequently contradictory in his teachings. In his scientific writings concerning nature he showed the influence of Roger Bacon. In philosophy and theology, however, his nominalism was tempered somewhat by thomism. He denied not only the infallibility of the pope but also that of the council, so that for him it is possible to appeal from one council to another. Concerning the eucharist, he considered impanation as a possible alternative to transubstantiation; in this he prepared the way for the doctrine of Martin luther and other Reformers.

As a man of action, he was greatly concerned for the welfare of the Church. He strove harder than any of his contemporaries to restore unity to the Church, at whatever the cost. However, he was too much of an opportunist, strongly influenced by the needs of the moment; he disenchanted many friends because often they could not rely on him at crucial moments.

The influence of his writings was considerable, particularly on Gabriel biel, Jacques almain, John Major, denis the carthusian, and Martin Luther. Gallicanists considered him one of their foremost authorities.

Bibliography: a. cardin, Enciclopedia filosofica, 4 v. (Venice-Rome 1957) 1:113–114. f. stegmÜller, Repertorium biblicum medii aevi, 7 v. (Madrid 1949–61) 1:306–309. l. salembier, Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie ecclésiastiques, ed. a. baudrillart (Paris 1912–) 1:1154–1165; Le Cardinal Pierre d'Ailly (Tourcoing 1932); Dictionnaire de théologie catholique, 15 v. (Paris 1903–50) 1:642–654. j. p. mcgowan, Pierre d'Ailly and the Council of Constance (Washington 1936). l. r. loomis, tr., The Council of Constance, ed. j. h. mundy and k. m. woody (New York 1961). b. meller Studien zur Erkenntnislehre des Peter von Ailly (Freiburger theologische Studien 67; Freiburg 1954).

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