Peter of Cornwall

Peter of Cornwall (Petrus Cornubiensis OFM, Petrus Cornubensis, Pierre de Cornouailles). Second half of thirteenth century (?). "This master is an obscure figure, connected with Oxford through John Aston[1], but as he uses the example 'Henricus est Rex Angliae'[2], we must conclude that this treatment ('Omnis homo est') was composed before the death of Henry II in 1272. In regard to the proposition 'Caesar est homo', using an example that also features in Roger Bacon's Compendium, it is alleged that just as a circle outside a tavern can be a true of false indication that there is wine within, so with regard to the proposition, according to whether Caesar exists or not. Peter questions the value of the distinction between esse habitu and actu, and says that neither being present, past, or future, is part of the understanding of the word, so the proposition is false.




Primary sources



Secondary sources

  • Weijers, Olga: Le travail intellectuel à la Faculté des arts de Paris: textes et maîtres (ca. 1200-1500), VII, Turnhout (Brepols) 2007 [Studia Artistarum, 15].

See also



1270? England


  1. ^ A.B. Emden, A Biographical Register of the University of Oxford to A.D. 1500, Oxford, 1957-9
  2. ^ M.S. Worcester Q13, 50ra