Raymond de Peñafort

165×110mm, manuscript on vellum, i+295+i, lacking the first leaf, in 15 quires of 20 leaves, except i20-1 and xv16, a few quire signatures survive, 2 columns, 35 lines, c.98×70mm, red and blue initials throughout, the body of each of four illuminated initials neatly excised (ff.71v, 133v, 200r, 223v), usually leaving a tail, with loss of small amounts of text, the outer edges sometimes ragged and the margins with mould-staining, simple MEDIEVAL BINDING of alum-tawed skin over wooden boards, with flat spine, the boards almost flush with the text-block in the thirteenth-century manner, the stub of a strap at the fore-edge shows that the clasp closed from the front to back cover, the spine repaired, but generally in good sound condition

The condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

PROVENANCE

(1) ‘Matt: Lee’, nineteenth-century inscription on f.1r. (2) William O’Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899.

TEXT

Gregory IX’s Decretals, beginning in chapter 1 at ‘Christus cuius corpus et sanguis …’ (f.1r); the main text is followed immediately by lists of headings: ‘Expliciunt decretales. Incipiunt rubrice decretalium. De summa trinitate et fide catholica …’ (f.291r), the first three columns are numbered, with the first four items indicated with one to four dots and the remainder by roman numerals.

Raymond de Peñafort (d.1275) was a Spanish Dominican friar who compiled the Decretals of Gregory IX, a collection of canon laws that remained a major part of Church law until the 20th century. He is honored as a saint in the Catholic Church and is the patron saint of lawyers, especially canon lawyers.