La universidad de Mallorca y el conflicto con la de Cervera. El expediente de 1785

Resumen

La Universidad de Mallorca se ve inmersa en el contexto reformador de Carlos III desde dos vertientes: una, como Universidad excluida de las denominadas mayores; dos, como institución que había sido de la Corona Catalanoaragonesa. Este estudio analiza, aportando documentación inédita, el conflicto que la Universidad de Mallorca tuvo a finales del siglo XVIII con la de Cervera, afecta por su naturaleza al régimen borbónico; y lo hace bajo los dos aspectos mencionados, a la vez que se sitúa el hecho particular descrito en el contexto general que vive el Reino de España en la época de la Ilustración. Por otra parte, se analiza dicho enfrentamiento teniendo en consideración la realidad sociocultural del momento en la isla de Mallorca y su respuesta a los edictos reales; así como el papel que desempeñaron los altos funcionarios, como el fiscal de la Audiencia de Mallorca, en el proyecto homogeneizador del Estado.

The University of Majorca was, in two ways, embroiled in the reformations carried out by Charles III of Spain: first, as a university excluded from the so-called mayores (a term meaning greater and highlighting a certain level of prestige associated with universities), and second as an institution that pertained to the Crown of Aragon. Using unpublished documents, the Expediente de 1785, and considering the two aforementioned aspects, this study analyses the conflict that the University of Majorca had at the end of the 18th century with the University of Cervera, due to the latters relationship with the Bourbon regime. The University of Cervera accused the university in Majorca of lacking up-to-date teaching faculties and wanted to prevent students from the Principality of Catalonia from graduating from Majorca. It imputed the faults of previous centuries to the University of Majorca, excluding it from the progress that was reserved for universities classified as mayores. All the while, the University of Majorca used customary laws to defend itself, which left it at an even greater disadvantage compared to its rival. The role that senior officials (e.g., the Prosecutor of the Court of Majorca) played in the project to ensure uniformity across nation show their favour of the University of Cervera. Furthermore, this study analyses the conflict considering the sociocultural reality in Majorca at that time and how the population responded to royal edicts.