c. 1663 PAPAL BULL - Pope Alexander VII

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A very fine manuscript Papal Bull on parchment in scrittura bollatica Latin. In the name of Pope Urban VIII, dated at St Maria Magiore, Rome,  6 March 1663. (220 x 280mm – 8.75 x 11”) 

 

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 Alexander VII (13 February 1599 – 22 May 1667), born Fabio Chigi, was Pope from 7 April 1655, until his death. A moderate in the heated dogmatic controversies of the period, his pontificate was shadowed by continual difficulties with Louis XIV of France. Alexander VII did much to beautify Rome with urban planning and architecture.  His tomb by Bernini is one of the most beautiful monuments in St. Peter's. 

This item is shipped in archival matting (14 x 18").

  • Inventory# D-1587
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