Papal Bull dated 1623 - Pope Gregory XV

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 A very fine manuscript Papal Bull on parchment in scrittura bollatica Latin. In the name of Pope Gregory XV, dated at St. Peters, Rome, 1623. (260 x 405mm – 10 ¼ x 16”)

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 Gregory XV (9 January or 15 January 1554 – 8 July 1623), born Alessandro Ludovisi, was Pope from 9 February 1621 until his death. He was a learned theologian and reformer. He assisted Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor, and the Catholic League against the Protestants, and Sigismund III Vasa, King of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, against the Ottoman Empire. He was influential in bringing the Bolognese artist Guercino to Rome, a landmark in  development of High Baroque style.

Shipped unmatted

  • Inventory# D-1606
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