Gratien Le Canoniste - Post Incunabula Of Theology Printed In 1515 In Lyon.

GRATIEN THE CANONIST (John) - Decreti huius plenissimum argumenttum. Lyon, François Fradin, 1515; folio, 426 sheets (FOCCCXXVI) + table (not paginated) + table XXXVIII + 3 repertoire pages, modern binding (facsimile of an old binding) full vellum, spine with six nerves, title piece red morocco, marbled slices. Post-incunabulum printed in 1512 in Lyon by François Fradin (beautiful printer's mark representing a mermaid and a knight with in the center a heraldic shield of the two F of François Fradin surmounted by a cross of Lorraine). On the back of the title page, an engraving depicting Jean Gratien the canonist sitting in front of a council in the middle of a box representing bishops and evangelists. Gratien's decree, written between 1140 and 1150, was quickly adopted by law schools, starting with that of Bologna, capital of the study of canon law. It brings together more than 3,800 canon texts to make them more consistent. It is the foundation of canon law and its basis until 1917, date of promulgation of the code of canon law. Beautiful copy printed in two colors, red and black, and illustrated with many initial letters. The text is printed in two circled columns with comments. The paper is in exceptional condition (except on folio CCCCXXIII where there is an ink stain but the text remains legible). Very nice copy.