GERS

(43° 40’ N., 0° 30’ H.), department, S.W. France; formed part of ancient Gascony; surface hilly, partly covered wood and heath; soil moderately fertile; chief rivers, Gers, Save, Balse, and Ardour; many sheep and poultry reared; extensive vineyards; brandy. Area, 2428 sq. miles: Pop. 1921, 194,406, cleric and scholar; proper name, Jean of Paris Univ., 13895; endeavored to reform Church, and to replace scholastic theology by simpler mode of thought; influential in ending papal schism, writing many pamphlets for guidance of Council of Pisa; on failure of which to restore unity, he used his influence in formation of Council of Con stance, 1414; having incurred enmity of Duke of Burgundy, he spent several years in exile in Tyrol, where he wrote De Consol at i one Theologiae.