Papal Bull dated 1609 - Pope Paul V

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A very fine manuscript Papal Bull on parchment in scrittura bollatica Latin. In the name of Pope Paul V, dated at Rome, 1609. (220 x 380mm – 8 3/4 x 15”)

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 signatures of various Papal authorities are added.

Pope Paul V (17 September 1552 – 28 January 1621), born Camillo Borghese, Pope from 16 May 1605 until his death. He refused to compromise on the authority and privileges of the Church, in April 1606 excommunicated the entire government of Venice, condemned the oath of allegiance of King James I of England, ordered Galileo not to defend Copernicus’ heliocentric ideas and financed the completion of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Shipped unmatted

  • Inventory# D-1595
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