The Reception of Erasmus' New Testament in the Louvain Franciscan Study House: The Case of Nicholas Tacitus Zegers and Adam Sasbout

This article deals with the reception of Erasmus’ textual critical scholarship at the Louvain Franciscan Study House. The aim of this contribution is to fill a conspicuous gap in the contemporary literature on this interesting topic. Following Sartori’s articles on Frans Titelmans (2008; 2005 and 2003), the literature has paid no attention to the Louvain Franciscan studium theologicum, which showed particular interests in Erasmus’ work on the New Testament. I will focus on two largely unknown Franciscans, Nicholas Tacitus Zegers and Adam Sasbout, both disciples of Frans Titelmans, and analyze the references they make to Erasmus in their textual critical works. As would be expected from disciples of Titelmans, both men were sharply critical of Erasmus, but surprisingly, they were also appreciative of his work.