Incipit: ‘Gregoires eveques sersatoz les sergens ...’
[Historiated initial illustrating the papal bull: Pope Gregory IX is depicted seated on a throne in a frontal position, his right hand elevated in a blessing gesture (index and middle fingers raised) and his left hand holding a ferula (the Pope’s staff). On the right side of the throne is a kneeling tonsured friar holding an open volume, on the left side are two more tonsured friars, one of whom addresses the Pope by raising both hands.]
59v
Cy fenist le premier livre et commence le seecond de iugement
Incipit: ‘Del concille daufrique. De quo vult deo ...’
[Historiated initial illustrating book II: A secular judge is depicted enthroned in a central position, visually suggesting his impartiality in the administration of justice. His left index finger is raised to address a tonsured cleric standing on the left. The cleric responds by raising his right index finger and his left hand. On the opposite side, a man wearing a red robe and a hat, presumably a secular lawyer, objects to the statement by also raising an index finger and a hand.]
107v
Incipit: ‘Ut laici. Li lai ne praignent pas a ester ...’
[Historiated initial illustrating book III: The scene takes place in a church, the interior of which is divided into two arches by a column. On the right side, in the presbytery, is an altar with a chalice partially covered by a cloth on it; a priest stands in front of it and raises the host to celebrate the Eucharist. Behind the priest, an acolyte is kneeling and joining his hands in prayer. Further back, in the aisle, two laymen are witnessing the ritual outside of the sacred space, also joining their hands in prayer. ]
154v
Incipit: ‘De Francia. Un home de France prist une gentil famme ...’
[Historiated initial illustrating book IV: The image depicts a marriage ceremony. In the center are the newlyweds: the bride has her right arm around the groom’s neck, while the groom grabs her left hand with his right hand. His arm is guided by a man standing behind the groom, presumably a member of his party, who is trying to encourage him. On the right is a priest, his left hand holding a volume and his right hand elevated in a blessing gesture (index and middle fingers raised) directed towards the couple. ]
171v
Ci comance le quin livre de accussacions et des inquisicions et de denonciacions
Incipit: ‘Felix li apostoiles. Se li accuserres nest leaus ...’
171v
[Historiated initial illustrating book V: A pope acting as a judge is depicted enthroned, his left hand holding a crozier and his right index finger raised to address the people in front of him. They are a kneeling Benedictine friar, his hands joined in prayer, and an abbot, recognisable by the crozier, who responds to the pope’s gesture by raising his right hand. The abbot’s gesture should presumably be seen as an objection to the judge’s accusation. ]
Montpellier, Bibliothèque universitaire Historique de Médecine Ms. H 51, f. 3r
Open in Mirador
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
Unitary manuscript
Binding: rebound
Layout: 2 columns
Illustrations: Historiated initials on ff. 3r (illustration of the papal bull: Pope Gregory IX surrounded by three clerics), 59v (illustration of book II: Judgement scene wih secular judge), 107v (illustration of book III: Celebration of the Eucharist), 154v (illustration of book IV: Marriage ceremony) and 171v (illustration of book V: Judgement scene with pope). Flourished and simple initials supplied in red and blue, a few ink drawings on the margins (ff. 29r, 90v, 138r).
Iconclass: pope; insignia of the pope, e.g. tiara; sceptre, staff (symbol of sovereignty); blessing (either of things or persons), e.g. by anointing; sitting figure; bishop's throne; codex - LL - codex open; kneeling before a ruler; kneeling on both knees; monk(s), friar(s); tonsure; Canon Law; 'Legge canonica' (Ripa); 'Giudice' (Ripa); sitting on an elevation; head-gear: cap; lawyer, attorney at law; judicial duel; court session (court of justice); interior of church; priest (Roman Catholic); 'elevatio', showing the Sacred Host and Chalice; bread, Host; 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; kneeling on both knees; hands with finger-tips against each other; parts of church interior: aisle; column, pillar ~ architecture; arch, archivolt ~ architecture; marriage, married couple, 'matrimonium'; blessing (either of things or persons), e.g. by anointing; codex; shaking hands, 'dextrarum junctio'; gripping someone by the hand or the wrist; clasped hands; couple before the priest ~ marriage; embracing each other, kissing; members of bridal party; witnesses; gripping someone by the arm; monastic orders, monastic life: Benedictines; kneeling figure; the accused; abbot; insignia of bishop, e.g. mitre, crozier; accusation (in court); plea, defence; judicial duel; court-room; court session (court of justice); 61B2(GREGORYIX); 31A25561(+915) index finger and middle finger raised, closed (+ blessing); 31AA25521(+932) palm of the hand turned up - AA - both arms or hands (+ addressing); 31A25551(+932) index finger upwards (+ addressing); 31A25551(+9211) index finger upwards (+ accusing); 31A25231(+917) hands with finger-tips against each other (+ beseeching); 31A25521(+923) palm of the hand turned up (+ defending oneself)
Support material: parchment
Measurements: 341x245 mm
Extent (leaves): 219
Writing: Littera textualis
SEMANTIC INDEXING
Subject: Law-canon (ius canonicum)
Genre: TEXTUS (Can)
Period: late medieval
Language: French
Original language: Latin
DATA SOURCE & REFERENCES
MS:
Montpellier, Bibliothèque universitaire Historique de Médecine Ms. H 51
Completeness: medium — Source: digital copy, bibliography
