Papal Jurisprudence, 385–1234
Social Origins and Medieval Reception of Canon Law

Explains the rise in demand for papal judgments from the 4th century to the 13th century, and how these decretals were later understood.

D. L. d'Avray (Author)

9781108473002, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 March 2022

300 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.5 cm, 0.618 kg

'd'Avray's thesis of the two decretal ages is convincing, and highly stimulating for the interpretation and evaluation of papal letters. By confronting the two phases, furthermore, the author calls into question familiar period boundaries, which assign the two decretal ages to different fields of research. How fruitful it can be to cross period boundaries, as in this case, is demonstrated by the book.' Cornelia Scherer, H-Soz-Kult

Why did bishops turn to the papacy for advice in late Antiquity? And what does the reception of these decretals reveal about the legal and religious culture of the mid-thirteenth century? This interpretative volume seeks to explain the first decretal age of late antiquity, placing the increased demand for papal jurisprudence – long before it exerted its influence through religious fear – within its social broad context. D. L. d'Avray then traces the reception of this jurisprudence through to the mid-thirteenth century, and the post-Gratian decretal age. Along the way he explores the role of Charlemagne and 'Pseudo-Isidore', which included many genuine early decretals alongside forged ones. Similarities between the Latin world c. 400 and c. 1200 thus help explain parallels between the two decretal ages. This book also analyses decretals from both ages in chapters on pagan marriages, clerics in minor orders, and episcopal elections. For both ages the relation between canon law and other religious genres is elucidated, demonstrating many fascinating parallels and connections.

Introduction
1. Transformations and long-term explanations
2. The Christian Roman empire, c. 400
3. c. 400: practical complexities and uncertainties
4. c. 400: uncertainty about grace
5. Papal rulings and ritual
6. Hierarchies
7. Clerical status and monks
8. Returning heretics
9. Pelagianism and the papacy
10. Leo I
11. Post-imperial syntheses
12. Early papal laws in the barbarian west
13. Carolingian culture and its legacy
14. 1050–1150
15. Theology and law
16. c. 400 and c. 1200: complexity, conversion and bigamia
17. Clerics in minor orders
18. Choosing bishops
19. Overall conclusions
Appendix A. Leo I
Appendix B. Gelasius
Appendix C. Gloss II (Johannes Teutonicus and Bartholomaeus Brixiensis) on Gratian and the liber extra
Appendix D. Conceptual sources.

Subject Areas: Christian leaders & leadership [HRCX1], Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church [HRCC7], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], European history [HBJD]