Incipit: ‘Gregorius episcopus servus servorum dei ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating the papal bull: Pope Gregory IX is depicted seated, his right hand elevated in a blessing gesture (raised index and middle fingers) and his left hand grasping (or perhaps handing over) a volume. The volume is offered to him by a Dominican friar, presumably to be identified with Raymond de Peñafort. The latter is accompanied by another Dominican friar, who raises both his hands to address the Pope, and three laymen. Two of them are clothed like secular lawyers/jurists (fur-lined capes, hats). The scene takes place under two arches supported by columns, one round and one trefoil. ]
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book II: A pope is depicted seated, his right hand elevated in a blessing gesture (index and middle fingers raised) and his left hand holding a mitre. The pope is about to place the headgear on the head of a tonsured cleric, who is kneeling in front of him with his hands joined in prayer. Behind him is a bishop holding a volume and addressing the Pope with his right hand, and a jurist. The scene depicts the reinstatement of a bishop, who receives his title back after the excommunication against him has been lifted.]
126v
Incipit tercius liber de vita et honestate clericorum rubrica
Incipit: ‘Ut layci secus altare quando ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book III: Inside a church, a priest is depicted in front of an altar with an open missal and a chalice on it. He raises the Host with both hands to perform the ritual of the Eucharist. Behind him, a kneeling acolyte holds a candlestick. Further back, a tonsured cleric grabs a layman by the head and escorts him out of the sacred space, as he is not allowed to witness the ritual.]
193v
De sponsalibus et matrimonio
Incipit: ‘De Francia quidam mulierem ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book IV: Inside a church, a priest is depicted between a man and a woman, officiating their marriage. He elevates his right hand in a blessing gesture (index and middle fingers raised) and with his left hand he grabs the bride’s right wrist, guiding her hand towards the groom. The groom, who is escorted by a witness, holds the wedding ring. On the left side of the image is an altar with a chalice, an open missal and a cross on it.]
214r
Inquisitionibus et denunciationibus. Incipit quintus liber
Incipit: ‘Si legittimus non fuerit accusator ...’
[Illuminated frontispiece illustrating book V: A pope acting as a judge is depicted in a frontal position, visually suggesting his impartiality in the administration of justice. His right hand is raised to address the people on his left and his left hand is grasping an unravelled scroll. The scroll, presumably an indictment act, is handed to him by a Benedictine friar, who is accompanied by another Benedictine. The subject of their accusation is the bishop on the opposite side, who raises his index finger to object. Next to him is a man wearing a hat, perhaps to be identified with his lawyer: he addresses the pope by raising his index finger and his hand.]
270v
Explicit: ‘... pro spiritualibus facere quis homagium compellatur. Expliciunt decretales’
2 — Bernardus Parmensis, Glossa ordinaria. Gloss to Gregorius IX's Decretales
Paris, Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève Ms. 331, f. 2r
Open in Mirador
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
Unitary manuscript
Binding: rebound
Layout: 2 columns; Textus inclusus (Glossa)
Illustrations: Illuminated frontispieces on ff. 2r (illustration of the papal bull "Rex pacificus": Pope Gregory IX receiving the book of the Decretales), 68v (illustration of book II, "De iudiciis": Court scene with pope), 126v (illustration of book III, "De vita et honestate clericorum": Preparation of the Eucharist and expulsion of the laity from the altar space), 193v (illustration of book IV, "De sponsalibus": Celebration of a marriage) and 214r (illustration of book V, "De accusationibus, inquisitionibus et denunciationibus": Judgment scene with pope). Historiated or ornamental initials at the beginning of each book, in the main text. Alternating red and blue initials with contrasting flourishes throughout the main text and the gloss.
Iconclass: pope; insignia of the pope, e.g. tiara; sitting figure; sitting on an elevation; blessing (either of things or persons), e.g. by anointing; codex; kneeling before a ruler; monastic orders, monastic life: Dominicans; monk(s), friar(s); tonsure; arms raised, with fingers closed - AA - both arms or hands; lawyer, attorney at law; head-gear: cap; arch, archivolt ~ architecture; column, pillar ~ architecture; Canon Law; 'Legge canonica' (Ripa); 'Giudice' (Ripa); blessing (either of things or persons), e.g. by anointing; ritual consecration ~ Christian religion; kneeling on both knees; hands with finger-tips against each other; archbishop, bishop, etc. (Roman Catholic); insignia of bishop, e.g. mitre, crozier; 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; missal; codex - LL - codex open; acolyte, chorister, lector, ostiarius, etc. ~ functionaries in Roman Catholic church; candlesticks and candles, e.g. Easter-candlestick; gripping someone by the head; pushing something; strife of laity and clergy; blessing (either of things or persons), e.g. by anointing; marriage, married couple, 'matrimonium'; members of bridal party; witnesses; gripping someone by the hand or the wrist; clasped hands; exchange of rings ~ marriage; wedding ring; chalice; altarcross, crucifix; missal; altar-cloths, e.g. veil covering the altar at Lent; altar; scroll - LL - scroll unfolded; handwriting, written text; monk(s), friar(s); monastic orders, monastic life: Benedictines; court session (court of justice); the accused; accusing; accusation (in court); plea, defence; 61B2(GREGORYIX); 31A25561(+915) index finger and middle finger raised, closed (+ blessing); 11H(RAYMUND) the Dominican friar and founder of the Mercedarians, Raymund of Pennafort; possible attributes: crucifix, key, lily; 31A25552(+932) index finger forwards, pointing, indicating (+ addressing); 31A25521(+932) palm of the hand turned up (+ addressing); 31A25562(+915) index finger and middle finger raised, spread out; V-sign (+ blessing); 31A25551(+932) index finger upwards (+ addressing)
Support material: parchment
Measurements: 420x270 mm
Extent (leaves): 272
SEMANTIC INDEXING
Subject: Law-canon (ius canonicum)
Genre: TEXTUS (Can)
Period: late medieval
Language: Latin
DATA SOURCE & REFERENCES
MS:
Paris, Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève Ms. 331
Completeness: medium — Source: digital copy, bibliography
