Sciencegeek ~~ Both Oxford & Cambridge universities are older. Both have colleges chartered earlier than the date you give for Prague: University College, Oxford, 1249; Peterhouse, Cambridge, 1284. These are the earliest absolutely ascertainable dates; but there were certainly academic foundations in both cities before the collegiate system, of which these are probably the oldest representatives, evolved. Tradition has it that Oxford was founded by Alfred the Great in the late 9th C [about 884]; Cambridge is said to have been founded by a King of Portugal in 915 [tho why he should have been around those parts t the time I have never quite made out!]. These dates probably mythical; but the collegiate charters mentioned above are verifiable.

~M~

Could that be some sort of a chip peeping out on your shoulder there, Jack? Perish the thought!