Incipit: ‘Gregorius episcopus servus servorum dei ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating the papal bull: Pope Gregory IX is depicted enthroned under an arch supported by columns, his left hand holding a globe. Before him is a kneeling Dominican friar, presumably to be identified with Raymond de Peñafort, who is accompanied by a group of tonsured clerics standing behind him. In the background is a city view.]
54r
Explicit liber primus. Incipit secundus de iudiciis
Incipit: ‘De quo vult deo centuriensis episcopo ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book II: An ecclesiastical judge is depicted enthroned, his left hand holding a sceptre and his right index finger raised to address the people in front of him. The group consists of a tonsured cleric holding a scroll with both hands (the written text on it reads: “Conqueror de populo non dante decimas ecclesie mee”) and of some laymen standing behind him. One of them, wearing a helmet or a hat, holds a scroll in one hand and raises the other in opposition. The scene depicts the presentation of the libellus, i.e. the indictment act, the delivery of which marks the beginning of the judicial proceeding. The text on the cleric’s scroll indicates that the case concerns a priest whose parishioners are not paying him the tithes. ]
101r
Incipit liber tertius. De vita et honestate clericorum
Incipit: ‘Ex concilio maguntino. Ut laici secus ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book III: In the presbytery of a church, a priest is depicted in front of an altar with a chalice and an open missal on it (the inscription on the pages reads “Qui pridie qua(m) pater(etur)”). He raises the Host with both hands to perform the ritual of the Eucharist. Behind him, under a different bay, is a group of tonsured clerics bowing slightly, one of whom is holding a pyx. Further back, in the outermost bay, is a group of lay people with their hands joined in prayer.]
151v
Incipit: ‘De Francia quidam nobilem mulierem ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book IV: A bishop is depicted under an arched architectural structure, enthroned, his left hand holding the crozier and his right hand elevated in a blessing gesture (index and middle fingers raised). The gesture is directed towards a couple getting married: they are represented as the groom grasps the bride’s left hand to put the ring on it. Both spouses are escorted by their respective parties.]
168r
De accusationibus et inquisitionibus et denuntiationibus
Incipit: ‘Si legitimus fuerit accusator ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book V: A pope acting as a judge is depicted enthroned under an arched architectural structure, his left hand holding a scroll and his right index finger raised to address the people in front of him (perhaps delivering a verdict). Before him is a layman presenting a tonsured cleric with bound hands. On the far right stands a woman, who can be identified as married by her headgear. The image depicts a married man accusing an adulterous cleric, according to titulus 16 (“De adulteriis et stupro”). It is unclear whether the shackling was done by the husband or whether the scene shows the execution of the verdict.]
Oxford, Bodleian Library Ms. Lat. Theol. b. 4, f. 1r
Open in Mirador
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
Unitary manuscript
Layout: 2 columns; Marginal notes
Illustrations: Illuminated frontispieces on ff. 1r (illustration of the papal bull "Rex pacificus": Pope Gregory IX receiving the book of the Decretales), 54r (illustration of book II, "De iudiciis": Judgement scene with ecclesiastical judge), 101r (illustration for book III, "De vita et honestate clericorum": Celebration of the Eucharist), 151v (illustration for book IV, "De sponsalibus et matrimoniis": Wedding ceremony) and 168r (illustration of book V, "De accusationibus, inquisitionibus et denunciationibus": Judgement scene with pope). Flourished initials at the beginning of each titulus.
Iconclass: pope; insignia of the pope, e.g. tiara; sitting figure; codex; kneeling figure; kneeling before a ruler; kneeling on both knees; monastic orders, monastic life: Dominicans; monk(s), friar(s); tonsure; city-view in general; 'veduta'; arch, archivolt ~ architecture; column, pillar ~ architecture; Canon Law; 'Legge canonica' (Ripa); 'Giudice' (Ripa); sitting on an elevation; sceptre, staff (symbol of sovereignty); scroll - LL - scroll unfolded; scroll; helmet; head-gear: cap; accusation (in court); the accused; accusing; judicial duel; court session (court of justice); priest (Roman Catholic); the Eucharist ~ the fourth of the seven sacraments; chalice; altar-cloths, e.g. veil covering the altar at Lent; altar; codex - LL - codex open; 'elevatio', showing the Sacred Host and Chalice; bread, Host; monk(s), friar(s); 'manus velatae' (hands covered with a cloth); pyx; hands with finger-tips against each other; interior of church; archbishop, bishop, etc. (Roman Catholic); insignia of bishop, e.g. mitre, crozier; blessing (either of things or persons), e.g. by anointing; marriage, married couple, 'matrimonium'; exchange of rings ~ marriage; wedding ring; members of bridal party; witnesses; gripping someone by the arm; ordering the execution of a verdict; handcuffs; arrest (of criminal); abuses of monks; couple of lovers; criminal law; punishment; adultery; 61B2(GREGORYIX); 11H(RAYMUND); 31A25551(+932) index finger upwards (+ addressing); 31A25521(+923) palm of the hand turned up (+ defending oneself); 31A25562(+915) index finger and middle finger raised, spread out; V-sign (+ blessing); 31A25551(+927) index finger upwards (+ punishing); 31A25521(+931) palm of the hand turned up (+ indicating, pointing at); 31A25311(+941) 'caput manui innixum', head held in the hand(s) (+ being sad, suffering, sorrowing)
