Such, then, was the cycle of mediæval study. And the student whose ambition it was to become a master of this cycle--a _magister_ or _doctor_ (for in early days the two titles were synonymous) _facultatis_--must attain to it through a seven years' course. In the school attached to a monastery or a cathedral, or from the priest of his native parish, we may suppose that the student has learnt some modicum of Latin, "the scholar's vernacular," or failing that, that the first stage of the _Trivium_--_Grammatica_--has been learnt on his arrival at the University. For this purpose, if he is a Cambridge student at least, he is placed under the charge of a special teacher, called by a mysterious name, _Magister Glomeriæ_, and he himself becomes a "glomerel," giving allegiance oddly enough during this state of pupilage, not to the Chancellor, the head of his University, but to the Archdeacon of Ely. Of the actual books read in the grammar course it is difficult to give an account. They may have been few or many. Indeed, at this period when the works of Aristotle were coming so much into vogue, it would seem as if the old Grammar course gave way at an early period to Philosophy. In a curious old French fabliau of the thirteenth century, entitled "The Battle of the Seven Arts,"[22] there is evidence of this innovation; incidentally also, a list of the books more properly belonging to the Grammar course is also given. "Savez por qui est la descorde? Qu'il ne sont pas d'une science: Car Logique, qui toz jors tence, Claime les auctors autoriaus Et les clers d'Orliens _glomeriaus_. Si vaut bien chascuns iiii Omers, Quar il boivent à granz gomers, Et sevent bien versefier Que d'une fueille d'un figuier Vous ferent-il le vers. * * * * * Aristote, qui fu à pié, Si fist chéoir Gramaire enverse, Lors i a point Mesire Perse Dant Juvénal et dant Orasce, Virgile, Lucain, et Elasce, Et Sedule, Propre, Prudence, Arator, Omer, et Térence: Tuit chaplèrent sor Aristote, Qui fu fers com chastel sor mote." "Do you know the reason of the discord? 'Tis because they are not for the same science, For Logic, who is always disputing, Claims the ancient authors, And the glomerel clerks of Orleans, Each of them is quite equal to four Homers, For they drink by great draughts And know so well how to make verse, That about a single fig leaf They would make you fifty verses. * * * * * Aristotle who was on foot Knocked Grammar down flat. Then there rode up Master Persius, Dan Juvenal and Dan Horace, Virgil, Lucan, and Statius, And Sedulius, Prosper, Prudentius, Arator, Homer, and Terence: They all fell upon Aristotle Who was as bold as a castle upon a hill."