Friendship with Conrad Mutianus and Ulrich von Hutten led him from being an upholder of Scholasticism to become an enthusiastic partisan of Humanism and a violent opponent of the older learning. In 1505 he induced Ulrich von Hutten to leave the monastery of Fulda, but in 1506 came back with the latter from Cologne to Erfurt, where in 1508 Crotus obtained a degree of Master of Arts.
Friendship with Conrad Mutianus and Ulrich von Hutten led him from being a defender of Scholasticism to become an ardent supporter of Humanism and a fierce opponent of the older learning. In 1505 he persuaded Ulrich von Hutten to leave the monastery of Fulda, but in 1506 returned with the latter from Cologne to Erfurt, where Crotus obtained a degree of Master of Arts in 1508.