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Gregorius IX: Decretals | MS 2084

GREGORIUS IX: DECRETALS

MS 2084
MS Short Title GREGORIUS IX: DECRETALS
Text GREGORIUS IX: DECRETALS, WITH THE GLOSS OF BERNARDUS BOTTONIUS
Description MS in Latin on vellum, Bologna(?), Italy, 3rd quarter of 13th c., 252 ff. (-ca. 7), 38x23 cm, main text: 2 columns, (19x11 cm), 41-42 lines, gloss: (35x21 cm), 2 columns, 80-90 lines, in a neat round Gothic book script of medium grade and quality, headings in red, 2-line initials in alternately blue and bright red with contrasting penwork throughout, 4 very large decorated book openings forming the name Gregorius, very extensive medieval notes and added gloss on every page.
Binding Bologna, Italy, 13th c., bevelled wooden boards, sewn on 4 thongs. 1 lozenge-shaped catch stamped with the Pascal lamb and an S remaining. Pastedown on lower cover from a French 15th c. document.
Provenance 1. French sale, lot 77656; 2. Sotheby's 5.12.1995:32.
Commentary This is the basic text of medieval canon law. The text was commissioned in 1230 by Gregory IX and was completed in 1234 by Raymond of Peñafort, Dominican canon lawyer, and later supplemented by the decretals of Bonifacius VIII in 1298 and of Clemens V in 1317. The 3 comprised the corpus of canon law. Though the text was known and used throughout all Europe, substantially complete manuscripts are relatively rare outside ancient public libraries.
Place of origin Italy
Dates 3rd quarter 13c AD