Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Decretals of Pope Gregory IX with the glossa ordinaria single leaves
Italy, Bologna, 1330-1335
MS M.716.4r

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1) Scene, Liturgical: Celebration of Mass -- Priest, wearing cope, right hand holding wafer, stands before draped altar, with retable of crucifixion and on which sits covered chalice. He is surrounded by acolyte, kneeling with candle; choir of clergy, chanting before open book with pseudo-inscription on lectern; and clergy and laity, many kneeling with hands held in prayer.
Scene set within church with putti flanking tower. Miniature with patterned background placed above start of Book III of Gregory IX Decretales.
2) Man tonsures monk seated before doorway. Scene within decorated initial U, at start of main text.
3) In margin surrounding main text, man holds large sword. Woman, holding distaff; man, holding pole with sack; and donkey approaching building with dog. Two putti swim in water. Hermit sits with open book. Fox climbs outcropping of rock. Man looks toward initial U of main text.
4) Angel within decorated initial U, at start of gloss.