Incipit: ‘Gregorius episcopus servus servorum dei ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating the papal bull: Pope Gregory IX is depicted enthroned, his right hand elevated in a blessing gesture (index and middle fingers raised). He is surrounded by members of the consistory, namely cardinals, friars and a bishop, who is offering him a volume (or did he receive it from the Pope?). In the foreground is a desk at which three monks are sitting, copying a text on leaves hanging from the table.]
94v
Incipit: ‘De quo vult deo centuriensis episcopo ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book II: A bishop acting as a judge is depicted enthroned in a frontal position, visually suggesting his impartiality in the administration of justice. Both of his hands grasp a written scroll offered to him by two kneeling men, one of whom is tonsured. These documents are probably seen as the statements presented by the prosecution and the defence before the beginning of the trial, according to the procedure explained in titulus III (“De libelli oblatione”). On either side of the throne, secular lawyers (recognisable by their fur-lined hats and capes) accompany their clients. On the left, a hooded man addresses the judge by raising a hand and an index finger, while on the right a tonsured cleric listens. More bystanders can be seen in the background. ]
235r
Incipit: ‘De Francia quidam nobilem mulierem ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book IV: An elderly man wearing a fur hat (a notary?) is depicted between a man and a woman, officiating their marriage. The groom wears a hood and has a belt around his waist, while the bride wears a crown. The groom is putting the ring on the bride’s finger. Both spouses are escorted by their respective parties, consisting of men for the groom and two women for the bride. Two women standing behind the bride encourage her: one guides her arm towards the ring, while the other puts a hand on her shoulder. The man standing next to the groom is very elegantly dressed and has a falcon resting on his hand; he wears a belt with a purse around his waist, just like the groom does, perhaps suggesting that they are both hunters and aristocrats. The fact that both the groom and the bride are depicted as aristocratic (she is wearing a crown) may be a reference to the beginning of titulus I, chapter I, which presents the case of a noble couple from France.]
259r
Incipit quintus liber de accusationibus inquisitionibus et denuntiationibus
Incipit: ‘Si legitimus non fuerit accusator ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book V: An ecclesiastical judge wearing a cardinal’s hat is depicted enthroned, his left hand grasping a written scroll. The document is being handed to him by two kneeling men carrying a sword and a belt with a purse attached to it, perhaps to be identified as hunters. Behind them is a group of people in fur hats and a man in a red robe, probably a lawyer, who turns to a bishop and raises his left hand to speak. The bishop, presumably the subject of the written accusation, looks over his shoulder at the lawyer and walks away with his hands raised. The image may depict the principle treated in titulus XXIV (“De clerico venatore”), which forbids clerics from hunting, or perhaps just the presentation of the indictment act by some public officials.]
Oxford, Bodleian Library Ms. Canon. Misc. 492, f. 1r
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BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
Illustrations: Illuminated frontispieces on ff. 1r (illustration of the papal bull "Rex pacificus": Pope Gregory IX receiving the book of the Decretales), 94v (illustration of book II, "De iudiciis": Judgement scene with bishop), 235r (illustration for book IV, "De sponsalibus et matrimoniis": Wedding ceremony) and 259r (illustration of book V, "De accusationibus, inquisitionibus et denunciationibus": Judgement scene with cardinal). Historiated initials at the beginning of each titulus. Flourished initials in red and blue. The illuminations have been attributed to Niccolò di Giacomo di Bologna by Alexander and Pächt.
Iconclass: pope; insignia of the pope, e.g. tiara; sitting figure; bishop's throne; blessing (either of things or persons), e.g. by anointing; codex; consistory ~ Roman Catholic church; monk(s), friar(s); tonsure; archbishop, bishop, etc. (Roman Catholic); insignia of bishop, e.g. mitre, crozier; cardinal; insignia of cardinal, e.g. hat, mantle; writing-table, writing-desk; scroll - LL - scroll unfolded; secretary, scribe; parchment, vellum (writing material); writing and letters; Canon Law; 'Legge canonica' (Ripa); 'Giudice' (Ripa); sitting on an elevation; scroll - LL - scroll unfolded; kneeling on both knees; lawyer, attorney at law; head-gear: hood; accusation (in court); court session (court of justice); judicial duel; marriage, married couple, 'matrimonium'; exchange of rings ~ marriage; notary; beard; wedding ring; diadem, tiara; members of bridal party; belt, girdle, waistband; witnesses; gripping someone by the arm; laying the hand on another person's shoulder; head-gear: hat; predatory birds: falcon; hunter; accusing; hacking and thrusting weapons: sword; court-room; 61B2(GREGORYIX); 31A25561(+915) index finger and middle finger raised, closed (+ blessing); 41D221(CAP)(+43) head-gear: cap (+ fur used for clothes); 41D2122(+43) cape (+ fur used for clothes); 31A25521(+932) palm of the hand turned up (+ addressing); 31A25552(+932) index finger forwards, pointing, indicating (+ addressing); 31AA25521(+923) palm of the hand turned up - AA - both arms or hands (+ defending oneself)
Support material: parchment
Extent (leaves): 316
SEMANTIC INDEXING
Subject: Law-canon (ius canonicum)
Genre: TEXTUS (Can)
Period: late medieval
Language: Latin
DATA SOURCE & REFERENCES
MS:
Oxford, Bodleian Library Ms. Canon. Misc. 492
Completeness: medium — Source: bibliography, digital copy
