Landsmannschaft (Studentenverbindung)

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Bologna, 15. Century: Admission of a student in " Germanic Nation"

A Landsmannschaft (lat. natio, Plural nationes) is a German fraternity of several fraternity forms called (Studentenverbindung).

The older forms of Landsmannschaften were part of corporations and are closely alinged with the beginnings of universities in medieval times of the 12. and 13. century.

The newer form of Landsmannschaften are a kind of reform corps and most Landsmannschaften are members of the Coburger Convent.

[edit] History

In order to understand the history of German fraternities it needs to be known that the first universities in Europe came up in the 12. and 13. century in Paris (France), Bologna and Padua Italy later also in Oxford and Cambridge (England). Students joined groups in regards to region in order to have protection as well as support in being heard in their interests. The two early forms were called nations (Nationes) or colleges (Collegien) and organized not only the work but also the social part and had major influence to universities as they were voting in some areas the head of a university (magister).