Papal Bull dated 1600 - Pope Clement VIII

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A very fine manuscript Papal Bull on parchment in scrittura bollatica Latin, in the name of Pope Clement VIII, dated at Rome, 1600. (190 x 310mm – 7 3/8 x 12 1/4'')

A Papal Bull, named for the “bulla” or lead seal originally appended to it, is a particular type of important communication issued by a pope.  After the 15th century, they were used only for formal or solemn occasions.

Bulls were written at the Vatican in an archaic and very artificial Latin style know as “scrittura bollatica”, full of abbreviations and contractions virtually undecipherable to ordinary readers – a copy in ordinary script sometimes accompanied them.

The documents begin with the pope’s name, followed by “episcopus servus servorum Dei” (… Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God). The date is found in the last line of text, and the signature of various Papal authorities are added.

Pope Clement VIII (24 February 1536 – 3 March 1605), born Ippolito Aldobrandini, was Pope from 30 January 1592 to 3 March 1605. He ended the 30 year religious war in France, promulgated a peace treaty between France and Spain, extended the Papal States, and initiated an alliance of Christian European powers to battle the Ottoman Empire.

Shipped unmatted.

  • Inventory# D-1592
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