1622 · Rome
by (PAPAL BULL ON VELLUM). POPE GREGORY XV
Rome, 1622. 295 x 410 mm. (11 5/8 x 16 1/8"). Single column, 23 lines, in a papal chancery hand.
Elaborate lettering across top line of text. Lower margin with several signatures in ink; verso with brief notes in ink; lacking the original hemp tie and lead seal. Two tears at bottom of the document where ties were removed (not affecting text), vellum lightly soiled, but in excellent condition overall.
Addressed to the Archbishop of Naples, this Papal Bull grants a marriage dispensation between Fabritio Virgopia and Judith Cuono. An online search finds nothing about the couple named here, but the document reveals that they were petitioning for a dispensation because they fell into the second and third degrees of consanguinity, meaning that they shared at least one common ancestor. Although marrying within four degrees of consanguinity was prohibited by the church, it was not uncommon for the Holy See to issue dispensations, as here, allowing such marriages to take place—particularly for the privileged classes. The Papal Bull takes its name from the lead seals, called "bullae" (lacking in the present example), that were issued with official documents of the papacy as a way of ensuring their authenticity. Apart from the very rare Solemn Privilege (like Innocent III's famous granting of England in 1214 to his involuntary vassal King John), there are three categories of Papal Bulls: Simple Privileges (also called Solemn Letters), Letters of Grace (which confirm privileges and rights, but are somewhat smaller), and Mandates, which are differentiated by their use of hemp ties as opposed to silk, as would have been the case here. Pope Gregory XV (born Alessandro Ludovisi, 1554-1623) ruled for just over two years, from 1621-23. His brief papacy was marked by efforts to support the Catholic Counter-Reformation, including the establishment of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith to oversee missionary work. He also played a key role in the election of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II, canonized notable saints such as Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier, and issued the last papal mandate concerning witchcraft. Documents issued by Gregory XV are unsurprisingly rare, given the shortness of his rein: we could trace just one sold at auction since 1995.. (Inventory #: ST12778-0281)
Elaborate lettering across top line of text. Lower margin with several signatures in ink; verso with brief notes in ink; lacking the original hemp tie and lead seal. Two tears at bottom of the document where ties were removed (not affecting text), vellum lightly soiled, but in excellent condition overall.
Addressed to the Archbishop of Naples, this Papal Bull grants a marriage dispensation between Fabritio Virgopia and Judith Cuono. An online search finds nothing about the couple named here, but the document reveals that they were petitioning for a dispensation because they fell into the second and third degrees of consanguinity, meaning that they shared at least one common ancestor. Although marrying within four degrees of consanguinity was prohibited by the church, it was not uncommon for the Holy See to issue dispensations, as here, allowing such marriages to take place—particularly for the privileged classes. The Papal Bull takes its name from the lead seals, called "bullae" (lacking in the present example), that were issued with official documents of the papacy as a way of ensuring their authenticity. Apart from the very rare Solemn Privilege (like Innocent III's famous granting of England in 1214 to his involuntary vassal King John), there are three categories of Papal Bulls: Simple Privileges (also called Solemn Letters), Letters of Grace (which confirm privileges and rights, but are somewhat smaller), and Mandates, which are differentiated by their use of hemp ties as opposed to silk, as would have been the case here. Pope Gregory XV (born Alessandro Ludovisi, 1554-1623) ruled for just over two years, from 1621-23. His brief papacy was marked by efforts to support the Catholic Counter-Reformation, including the establishment of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith to oversee missionary work. He also played a key role in the election of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II, canonized notable saints such as Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier, and issued the last papal mandate concerning witchcraft. Documents issued by Gregory XV are unsurprisingly rare, given the shortness of his rein: we could trace just one sold at auction since 1995.. (Inventory #: ST12778-0281)
(503) 472-0476
