The position of the _socius_ probably altered but little after this time. That of the _lector_ underwent a change. The Franciscans assimilated their system of teaching to the system in vogue in the University generally: from the time of Adam Marsh the lecturers to the Franciscans were merely ordinary Regent Masters in theology belonging to the Order. This will be evident from a comparison of the dates at which the various lecturers, whose names have been preserved, held the office: a sufficient number of these dates has now been recovered, on the indisputable evidence of contemporary records, to put the matter beyond all doubt[223]. The appointment to the lectureship was in the hands of the Provincial Chapter[224]; practically the person recommended by the leading brethren at Oxford was elected[225]. This is true of the later as well as of the earlier lectors. No Minorite could proceed to any degree unless he were first authorised to do so by papal ordinance or by the election of his Order[226]. According to the Constitutions of Benedict XII, no Minorite might lecture on the Sentences in a University (_i.e._ become B.D.), ‘unless he had first lectured on the four books of the Sentences with the writings of the approved doctors in other _studia_ which are in the same Order called _Generalia_,’ or in one of certain specified convents[227]. The friars of the English province were specially favoured in respect to the degree of D.D. It was decreed in the General Chapter at Rome in 1411 ‘that no one shall be promoted to the degree of master, unless he first go to Paris, according to the papal statutes and the general institutes, and do all that he is bound to do, _Provincia Angliae excepta_[228].’ However, the Franciscans at Oxford never obtained the right which was enjoyed by the Dominicans at Paris, of being the sole judges of the fitness of any friars of their own Order for academical degrees[229]. In the case of Adam Marsh, the term of office was one year[230]; and this was probably the general rule[231], though the readers might perhaps be re-elected in the annual Provincial Chapter[232]. They often remained at Oxford after the expiry of their year[233], and no doubt continued to lecture, though they ceased to be _ex officio_ representatives of the friars in their dealings with the University or other bodies.