Headings: Gregorius IX, Pont. Max. — Decretales (sive Liber extra)
Heading remarks: Corpus iuris canonici editio Lipsiensis secunda post Aemilii Ludovici Richteri curas ad librorum manu scriptorum et editionis romanae fidem recognovit et adnotatione critica cur. Aemilius Friedberg, Graz Akademische Druck-U. Verlagsanstalt 1955-1995 vol. I: Decretum Gratiani (1995) vol. II: Decretalium collectiones (1955), vol. II pp. 6-927; Repertorium fontium historiae medii aevi primum ab Augusto Potthast digestum, nunc cura collegii historicorum e pluribus nationibus emendatum et auctum 11 voll., Roma (1984), vol. V pp. 231-2; Compendium Auctorum Latinorum Medii Aevi (500-1500) cur. Michael Lapidge - Gian Carlo Garfagnini - Claudio Leonardi - Francesco Santi et al., Firenze (2013), vol. IV 4 p. 430;
H. Michelant, Gerard, Boulogne-sur-Mer (CGM in-4° 4), Manuscrits 1-201, 1872 (Catalogue général des manuscrits des bibliothèques publiques des départements. Tome IV (série in-4°)), p. 649-650;
Frédérique Cahu, Un témoin de la production du livre universitaire dans la France du XIIIe siècle : la collection des "Décrétales" de Grégoire IX, Turnhout, Brepols, 2013 (Bibliologia, 35), p. 34, 80, 83, 84, 115, 116, 160, 161, 172, 202, 233, 234, 265, 269, 405-406.
BOOK PRODUCTION
Date: from 1250 to 1275 ca. (expressed)
CONTENT ANALYSIS
1 — Gregorius IX papa, Decretales (sive Liber Extra)
Ci commence premiers livres de decretales en francois de cist titres est de la trinite et de la foi de sainte eglise
[Bulla "Rex pacificus".]
Incipit: ‘Gregorius. Gregores evesques sers atous les servar(ius?) ...’
Explicit: ‘... autorite de l'iglise de Romme.’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating the papal bull: Pope Gregory IX is depicted seated, his left hand holding a staff and his right index finger raised to dictate to a tonsured friar with his back to him. The latter, presumably to be identified with the Dominican Raymond de Peñafort, is seated at a desk, writing on a bifolio what the Pope is dictating (in this context, probably the laws contained in the Liber Extra). The scene takes place under a trefoil arch.]
Incipit: ‘Innocens litiers el concile general. Firmiter ou croon ...’
[Historiated initial illustrating book I: Portrait of haloed Christ with his right hand elevated in a blessing gesture (index and middle fingers raised).]
75r
Ci commence li secous livres de decretales en francois cist titre est de juges
Incipit: ‘E quovuldeo. Ij cas est tiex uns esvesques ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book II: A judge is depicted seated in a frontal position, visually suggesting his impartiality in the administration of justice. His left hand holds a volume, a symbol of the laws he enforces (in this case, those contained in the Liber Extra). He turns to the left, where a tonsured friar stands; the man, either the plaintiff or the defendant, addresses the judge by raising his left hand and his right index finger. On the opposite side is his legal adversary, who makes the same hand gesture, perhaps to object to his rival's statement. The scene takes place under a trefoiled arch, a representation of the courtroom.]
131r
Ci commence li tiers livres de decretales. Cist titres est de la vie et de loneste as cler(ique?)s
Incipit: ‘Del concile de Magantin. Ut laici. Lj lai ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book III: A priest is standing in front of an altar, preparing to celebrate the Eucharist. He grasps a chalice with his left hand and elevates his right hand in a blessing gesture (index and middle fingers raised). Behind him, an acolyte pushes a layman away from the altar with both hands, as he is not allowed to witness the ritual. The threshold of the sacred space is marked by a column supporting a double arch.]
195r
Ci comence li quars livres de decretales cist titres est de spousailles et de mariage
Incipit: ‘Uns honi de france prist une gentil femme ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book IV: A priest is standing between a man and a woman, officiating their marriage. He holds both of their right hands, preparing to join them to make their union official (dextrarum iunctio). The bride raises her free hand to express her consent to the marriage.]
214r
Jci comence li quins livres de decretales cist titres est des inquisicions
Incipit: ‘Si legitimus. E li acceusierres nest loiaus ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book V: A bishop acting as a judge is depicted seated, his right hand elevated in a blessing gesture as he conducts a court hearing. Before him stand two men, one clothed as a secular man and the other as a cleric. The layman points to the cleric, who holds his hand to his chest in a defensive gesture: their interaction could be interpreted as the layman accusing the cleric or, more likely, a lawyer defending his client in front of the judge. The scene takes place under three arches supported by columns, a representation of the courtroom.]
253v
Explicit: ‘... homage por les choses esperitiex. Ci fenissent decretales en francois.’
Boulogne-sur-Mer, Bibliothèque des Annonciades Ms. 123, f. 1r
Open in Mirador
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
Unitary manuscript
Binding: rebound
Layout: 2 columns
Illustrations: Illuminated frontispieces on ff. 1r (illustration of the papal bull "Rex pacificus": Pope Gregory IX dictating the Liber Extra), 75r (illustration of book II, "De juges": Court scene with judge), 131r (illustration of book III, "De a vie e loneste ac clericus": Preparation of the Eucharist and expulsion of the laity from the altar space), 195r (illustration of book IV, "De spousailles et de mariage": Celebration of a marriage) and 214r (illustration of book V, "Des inquisicions": Judgment scene with bishop). Historiated initial on f. 1r (Portrait of haloed Christ with his right hand elevated in a blessing gesture); flourished initials in red and blue.
Iconclass: pope; insignia of the pope, e.g. tiara; sceptre, staff (symbol of sovereignty); sitting on an elevation; index finger upwards; monk(s), friar(s); tonsure; coat; author, poet dictating; secretary, scribe; writing-table, writing-desk; handwriting, writing as activity; Canon Law; 'Legge canonica' (Ripa); arch, archivolt ~ architecture; 'portraits' of Christ; index finger and middle finger raised, closed; nimbus, halo ~ radiance emanating from persons or things; 'Giudice' (Ripa); head-gear: cap; codex; palm of the hand turned up; judicial duel; court session (court of justice); court-room; priest (Roman Catholic); the Eucharist ~ the fourth of the seven sacraments; chalice; altar-cloths, e.g. veil covering the altar at Lent; altar; acolyte, chorister, lector, ostiarius, etc. ~ functionaries in Roman Catholic church; pushing something; gripping someone by the shoulder; strife of laity and clergy; column, pillar ~ architecture; marriage, married couple, 'matrimonium'; shaking hands, 'dextrarum junctio'; gripping someone by the hand or the wrist; clasped hands; couple before the priest ~ marriage; the consent (of marriage); archbishop, bishop, etc. (Roman Catholic); insignia of bishop, e.g. mitre, crozier; magistracy, judges; the accused; plea, defence; lawyer, attorney at law; index finger forwards, pointing, indicating; arm or hand held in front of the chest; court-room
Support material: parchment
Measurements: 295x210 mm
Extent (leaves): 253
Writing: Gothic rotunda
SEMANTIC INDEXING
Subject: Law-canon (ius canonicum)
Genre: TEXTUS (Can)
Period: late medieval
Language: French
Original language: Latin
DATA SOURCE & REFERENCES
MS:
Boulogne-sur-Mer, Bibliothèque des Annonciades Ms. 123
Completeness: medium — Source: bibliography, digital copy
