The matricula of the Prague University of Law, the Album juristarum, is the primary source for prosopographic research into its members. The original matriculae are among that sadly renowned group of documents in the University archive that were lost at the end of the Second World War. Today's researchers have at their disposal only pre-war photocopies of the original manuscripts, and the editions of the matriculae published in the first half of the 19th century in the Monumenta Historica Universitatis Carolo-Ferdinandeae Pragensis.[1] Those inscribed into the University matricula included not only newly arrived students and teachers, but also members of their entourages (servants, private tutors), as well as craftsmen closely associated with the everyday operation of the University (book binding sewers, parcheminers etc.). Inscription into the matricula guaranteed membership of the Universitas as a legal corporation, and thus a share in all privileges including the Rector's jurisdiction.

Inscription into the matricula was by the rector. Its was internally organised thus: after several short commemorative inscriptions, a list of graduates follows arranged by university nation, and only then a complete list of the matriculated, again by university nation. The amount of information on the entered lawyers is relatively modest. Only Christian names may be gleaned with certainty, sometimes with a sobriquet or the father's name and place of origin, i.e. place from which the student by their own account came to the University. Mention was also made of academic titles obtained (albeit that many did not graduate with the ranks shown), and University or extra-mural functions. Quite often there are mentions of ecclesiastical offices of benefices held. Membership of religious orders or noble titles are also commonly recorded. Occasionally there is mention of a relationship to various other individuals inscribed in the matricula. Not infrequently, it is possible to recognise groups of students who came to Prague together in the matriculation records . Extremely valuable information in terms of determining the social status of the matriculated is provided by notes on the level and means of paying, or not paying, the matriculation fee.

In all, 3541 individuals were inscribed into the lawyers' matricula, of which in the first period of the existence of the University of Laws, i.e. to 1389, up to 150 were admitted annually. Later the number of entrants gradually declined, to an average of 58 records annually for the years 1390-1408, and to around 11 entitlements in the last decade of the school's existence. The numbers of those whose studies ended with the gaining of a University title is surprising low: 235 bachelors and a mere 47 doctors or licentiates.

1 Album seu Matricula facultatis juridicae Universitatis Pragensis ab anno Christi 1372 usque ad annum 1418. In: Monumenta Historica Universitatis Carolo-Ferdinandeae Pragensis II/1-2. Pragae 1834, s. 1-215.