(c. 1230-1309), (French Maitre Jacques de Saint-Georges), (Old French Mestre Jaks), (Latin Magistro Jacobo de Sancto Georgio), was a Savoy master of works/architect identified as "one of the finest architects of the European Middle Ages" by historian Marc Morris. He was also called Maître Jakobus or Jacobus. James was born in Turin about 1230, the son of an imperial notary. He was educated at the University of Paris and became a member of the faculty of theology there. In 1260 he was made chancellor of the university and in 1264 he became dean of the law school. In 1267 he was appointed chief minister to the king of France, Louis IX. The post involved supervision of royal buildings and repairs to churches and other monuments. It also required travel throughout France, so it is not surprising that James obtained the nickname "the wandering scholar". In 1279 King Charles II of Naples commissioned him to build a new city on the bay of Naples. This was to be called Neapolis or New Troy. The project was not completed, but parts of it can still be seen today. Around 1304 James built a church for himself in the new city. It has been suggested that this was his final work because he died soon after its completion. However, it has also been said that he lived another twenty years after this event.