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GRATIAN'S DECRETUM LEAF Ref 237 recto
This is the major part of a the opening leaf from a Gratian's Decretum that was produced in Southern France, probably in the region of Limoges, c.1200.
The text is the opening of “CONCORDIA DISCORDANTIUM CANONUM AC PRIMUM DE IURE NATURAE ET CONSTITUTIONIS”, the CORPUS IURIS CANONICI DECRETUM MAGISTRI GRATIANI. It consists of Part I, the Prologue and Distinction I, chapter I to Distinction IV, chapter VI. The Prologue, opening “Humanum geuus …” translates to: -
“The human race is ruled by two [principles], the first is constituted natural law and by long standing custom. The law of nature is that which is contained in the Gospel and in the laws, that is to do to others what one would have done to one’s self and prohibits doing to others what one would not like done to one’s self. Thus Christ in the Gospel [said] “All that you want other men to do to you, you do to them. This is the law and the prophets”
The maximum size of the leaf as presented is 228mm x 188mm (8 9/10ins. x 7 7/20ins.). It is not possible to guess at what the overall size of the complete leaf would have been as there are only 59 of the 60 lines of text remaining.
OVERALL CONDITION: -
The leaf has been cut down and used as a pastedown. The recto is a little dirty and browned because of it and verso has been severely mutilated by its removal as such. There is also a little worming within the text.
GENERAL COMMENTS: -
Not withstanding the condition, this is an excellent leaf with a superb and very large initial that opens a text that was of great importance for several hundreds of years. It would be a very welcome addition to any collection.
GRATIAN'S DECRETUM LEAF Ref 237 recto
This is the major part of a the opening leaf from a Gratian's Decretum that was produced in Southern France, probably in the region of Limoges, c.1200.
The text is the opening of “CONCORDIA DISCORDANTIUM CANONUM AC PRIMUM DE IURE NATURAE ET CONSTITUTIONIS”, the CORPUS IURIS CANONICI DECRETUM MAGISTRI GRATIANI. It consists of Part I, the Prologue and Distinction I, chapter I to Distinction IV, chapter VI. The Prologue, opening “Humanum geuus …” translates to: -
“The human race is ruled by two [principles], the first is constituted natural law and by long standing custom. The law of nature is that which is contained in the Gospel and in the laws, that is to do to others what one would have done to one’s self and prohibits doing to others what one would not like done to one’s self. Thus Christ in the Gospel [said] “All that you want other men to do to you, you do to them. This is the law and the prophets”
The maximum size of the leaf as presented is 228mm x 188mm (8 9/10ins. x 7 7/20ins.). It is not possible to guess at what the overall size of the complete leaf would have been as there are only 59 of the 60 lines of text remaining.
OVERALL CONDITION: -
The leaf has been cut down and used as a pastedown. The recto is a little dirty and browned because of it and verso has been severely mutilated by its removal as such. There is also a little worming within the text.
GENERAL COMMENTS: -
Not withstanding the condition, this is an excellent leaf with a superb and very large initial that opens a text that was of great importance for several hundreds of years. It would be a very welcome addition to any collection.