Incipit: ‘Gregorius episcopus servus servorum dei ...’
[Historiated initial with a portrait of Pope Gregory IX.]
3r
De summa trinitate et fide catholica rubrica
Incipit: ‘Innocentius tertius in concilio generali. Firmiter credimus ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book I: Christ is depicted with a halo, his right hand elevated in a blessing gesture (index and middle fingers raised) and his right hand holding a volume. The volume may be seen as a visualisation of the Liber Extra, so the image may suggest the divine legitimation of the collection of laws. On the left is the Virgin Mary, her hands raised to indicate Christ, and on the right is a bearded male saint (St. Peter?) raising his hand. The three figures are inserted in an architectural structure with columns and arches.]
77r
Incipit: ‘De quo vult deo centuriensis episcopo ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book II: A pope acting as a judge in depicted enthroned, his left hand holding a volume, a visualisation of the laws he enforces (in this case, those contained in the Liber Extra), and his right hand raised to address the people in front of him. Before him are some tonsured clerics and two bishops. The one closest to the pope points to the other one, who turns his back to the group and walks out of the room with both hands raised. The scene depicts the episode of the bishop Quodvultdeus, who, having been accused by an opponent, refused to be judged by a group of his peers. The scene takes place in an architectural structure with arches, which could represent the interior of a courtroom.]
144r
Incipit liber tertius de vita et honestate clericorum
Incipit: ‘Ex concilio maguntino. Ut laici secus ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book III: A priest is depicted in front of an altar with a chalice on it. He raises the Host with both hands to perform the ritual of the Eucharist. Behind him is a group of tonsured clerics with their hands joined in prayer; one of them kneels and holds a candle stick. Further back is a group of lay people, also with their hands joined in prayer. Each group is divided by a column to emphasise that they must witness the ritual separately. ]
202v
Incipit liber quartus. De sponsalibus et matrimoniis
Incipit: ‘Ex concilio triburiensis. De Francia quidam ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book IV: Inside a church, a priest is standing between a man and a woman, officiating their marriage. He holds a volume with both hands. Both spouses raise their right hands to express their consent to the union. The couple is escorted by their parties, namely a group of women for the bride and a group of men for the groom.]
221v
Incipit liber quintus. De accusationibus inquisitionibus et denuntiationibus
Incipit: ‘Felis [sic] papa. Si legitimus non fuerit accusator ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book V: A pope is depicted enthroned, his left hand holding up a volume, a visualisation of the laws he enforces (in this case, those contained in the Liber Extra), and his right hand raised to address the people around him. On the left are a group of men, some bearded, one of whom kneels and offers the pope a scroll. On the left are a bishop and a group of tonsured clerics, one of whom kneels and offers the pope a volume. The two groups may represent the communities to whom the compilation of Canon Law is addressed, namely the clergy and the university community. ]
275v
Explicit: ‘... facere quis homagium compellatur’
2 — Bernardus Parmensis, Glossa ordinaria. Gloss to Gregorius IX's Decretales
Proemium sive salutatio que precedunt constitutiones. Rubrica
Incipit: ‘Gregorius episcopus servus servorum dei ...’
297v
Explicit: ‘... sede apostolicam absolutionis beneficium obtinere. Expliciunt constitutiones. Amen’
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
Unitary manuscript
Binding: rebound
Layout: 2 columns; Textus inclusus (Glossa)
Illustrations: Illuminated frontispieces on ff. 3r (illustration of book I: Christ with the Virgin Mary and a male saint), 77r (illustration of book II, "De iudiciis": Judgement scene with pope), 144r (illustration of book III, "De vita et honestate clericorum": Celebration of the Eucharist with clergy and laics), 202v (illustration of book IV, "De sponsalibus": Wedding ceremony), 221v (illustration of book V, "De accusationibus, inquisitionibus et denunciationibus": Judgement scene with pope) and 276r (Presentation of the volume by pope Innocent IV). Historiated initials on f. 2v, one with a portrait of Pope Gregory IX and one with Christ; on the same leaf is a circular frame with a man riding a horse. Illuminated ornamental initials at the beginning of each book in the main text. Flourished initials and paragraph signs alternatively in red and blue throughout the volume.
Iconclass: pope; insignia of the pope, e.g. tiara; nimbus, halo ~ radiance emanating from persons or things; codex; adult Christ with Mary; adult Christ together with apostles, evangelists, saints, etc.; cross-nimbus; nimbus, halo ~ radiance emanating from persons or things; the Virgin Mary; palm of the hand turned up; arch, archivolt ~ architecture; column, pillar ~ architecture; 'Giudice' (Ripa); monk(s), friar(s); tonsure; archbishop, bishop, etc. (Roman Catholic); insignia of bishop, e.g. mitre, crozier; court session (court of justice); court-room; priest (Roman Catholic); 'elevatio', showing the Sacred Host and Chalice; the Eucharist ~ the fourth of the seven sacraments; chalice; altar; hand(s) bent towards the head; kneeling on both knees; candlesticks and candles, e.g. Easter-candlestick; candlesticks and candles, e.g. Easter-candlestick; head-gear: cap; interior of church; marriage, married couple, 'matrimonium'; priest (Roman Catholic); couple before the priest ~ marriage; the consent (of marriage); palm of the hand turned up; members of bridal party; witnesses; scroll - LL - scroll unfolded; kneeling before a ruler; lawyer, attorney at law; Canon Law; 'Legge canonica' (Ripa); 61B2(GREGORYIX); 11H(PETER); 31A25561(+915) index finger and middle finger raised, closed (+ blessing); 31AA25521(+931) palm of the hand turned up - AA - both arms or hands (+ indicating, pointing at); 31A25521(+932) palm of the hand turned up (+ addressing); 31AA25521(+923) palm of the hand turned up - AA - both arms or hands (+ defending oneself); 41D2121(+43) coat (+ fur used for clothes)
