MS 142: Decretales Gregorii IX, with gloss by Bernard of Parma, 13th-14th century
Contents
MS 142 is a copy of the very famous and influential 13th-century work of canon law, the Decretales Gregorii IX (Decretals of Pope Gregory IX) ordered by Pope Gregory IX, and put together by his chaplain and confessor, Raymond of Peñafort. As a very important text on Church law, the 'Decretales Gregorii IX' was the subject of many commentaries and glosses by later Church scholars. One such work on the 'Decretales' was completed by Bernard of Parma], and it is the gloss featured along with the text of the 'Decretales Gregorii IX' in MS 142. On f. 1r, the gloss to the five books of the 'Decretales' begins with the words In hujus libri principio quinque precipue.
The hand is very good uniform Gothic, the gloss is partly by the same hand, partly by others, but contemporary. The first few leaves are much soiled, and the margins badly cropped, but on the whole the condition of the book is good.
There are very good blue and red filigree initials, and a historiated initial to each of the five books (that of Book v having been cut out).
Historiated Initials
- Fol. 1: Book i. Burnished gold ground. Pope Gregory and listeners.
- Fol. 118. Book ii. Burnished gold ground. Figure seated in centre discussing with two others, one on either side.
- Fol. 219 v. Book iii. Burnished gold ground. Priest in alb and amice with white apparel, lake chasuble with cross orphrey, standing at altar, the end and the corner of the mensa of which may be seen projecting from beneath an ample linen cloth embroidered and fringed at end. A small square cloth represented as spotted, and perhaps intended for a corporal, lies on the top of the altar and hangs over the edge for a short distance. A clerk with raised rod or switch warns a layman, who is standing under a Gothic arch, from approaching the altar.
- Fol. 317. Book iv. Burnished gold ground. Priest similarly vested marrying man and woman. He joins their hands.
- Fol. 347. Book v. Initial cut out.
- The Gloss has an elaborate filigree initial at the beginning of each book.
Dates
- Creation: 13th-14th century
Creator
- Catholic Church (Title of work: Decretales Gregorii IX.) (Author, Organization)
Language of Materials
Latin
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to all. The manuscripts can be consulted in the Centre for Research Collections, Edinburgh University Main Library.
Extent
1 bound MS volume
Custodial History
There are no marks of early ownership. The illumination looks like French work. The manuscript was in James Erskine, Lord Alva's library in the 18th century.
Previous reference
D. b. V. 8
Physical Facet
Material: Vellum
Binding: Modern, lettered 'Epistolae Decretales a Gregorio IX Collectae. mss. 14th century.'
Collation: a12, b12, c10, d12, e10 (wants 3 and 5), f4, g12-t12, v13, x12-F12, G10, H4, I8, K12-Q12, R13 = 456.
Dimensions
22.23 cm X 14.61 cm
General
Secundo folio: [mari]a semper virgine
Foliation and number of lines to a page: ff. 456, double columns, 32 lines to a page; gloss double columns, 70 lines to a page.
Creator
- Catholic Church (Title of work: Decretales Gregorii IX.) (Author, Organization)
- Bernard, of Parma, d 1266 (Italian jurist) (Author, Person)
Source
- Erskine, James, 1722-1796 (Lord Barjarg and Alva | Scottish lawyer) (Former owner, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk