NICHOLAS OF CLAMANGES (NICHOLAS POLLIEVLAIN). - Theologian, b. at Clamanges c. 1363, d. at Paris in 1437. He taught theology at Paris from 1381; in 1397 he was at Avignon as papal secretary; in 1425 he returned to Paris, where he resumed teaching.
He distinguished himself by his literary and theological culture, by his zeal in urging the internal renewal of the Church and his warm appeals to apostolate. Well known as the author of treatises and pamphlets on certain ecclesiastical problems (De novis festivitatibus non instituendis; De corrupto Ecclesiae statu [of doubtful authenticity]), or political ones (De lapsu et reparatione iustitiae), he is particularly noteworthy for the short treatises De fructu erem; De fructu rerum divinarum, and above all for the De studio theologico and for his very extensive correspondence. Convinced that he had contributed more than anyone else to the rebirth of ancient eloquence in France (cf. Epist., 46), N. of C. remains one of the most representative figures of those French humanists who knew how to combine fidelity to theological tradition with literary taste.