Digestum novum (Robbins Ms. 270)

Digestum novum cum Glossa ordinaria Accursii.

[Bologna], [between 1250 and 1300]

274 leaves : parchment ; 420 x 260 (230 x 130) mm bound to 440 x 250 mm + 4 leaves (paper ; 24 x 22 cm or smaller)

This manuscript appears to be a study copy for use by a law professor, since it is full of marginal and interlinear notes, in the form of comments both on the main text of the Digestum and on the Accursian gloss. The flyleaves contain some unidentified texts, barely legible, but they seem like notes and drafts taken from some part of the main text, and put at the beginning of the manuscript as a "memorandum" for the professor. The high level of the illuminations, nevertheless, suggests that this manuscript was created to hold an important place in the textual tradition and in the University Library as well. Laid-in leaves have been removed to Robbins files.

Ms. codex.
Title from opening rubric.
Collation: parchment, fol. ii (medieval parchment) + 271 + i (medieval parchment); most likely in quires of 8 folios (unable to confirm due to fragility of the codex). Catchword in the bottom margin on the right, on verso. The manuscript appears to be written using the pecia system: the length of each pecia should have been some 4-5 folios. The pecia marks are still legible in the outer margins of fol. 57r, 61r, 228r.
Layout: Fol. 1r-263v: written in two columns, 47 lines for each column; fol. 264r-271v: written in 47 long lines. Wide margins, the bottom margin is the widest. Marginal gloss on two columns of up to 105 lines. Many interlinear glosses. Pricking in the outer and the bottom margin. Ruled in dry point.
Script: The main text is written in a textualis libraria Bononiensis script, below top line, by one hand: the gloss is written in a textualis libraria possibly by a Southern French hand, apparently by one hand too.
Decoration: Fol. 3r, a man (possibly Ulpianus) in red robes with a cowl, on 8 lines, holding a scroll that reads: "Ulpianus", written in capital and uncial white letters, on a blue and yellow background; fol. 22v, Ulpianus is sitting on his throne, in a red and pink robe, with a book in his right hand. The whole picture is framed in blue and pink. On his left side, the name "Ulpianus" written in capital and uncial white letters is framed in blue and pink too; fol. 71v, Ulpianus, dressed in red and pink, sitting under an arch on his throne with a book in his left hand and a pointing right finger. The background is painted in blue with white stars, resembling the sky at night. On his right side, framed in blue, there is the name "Ulpianus" written in white capital and uncial script; other illuminated initials that show Ulpianus in various attitudes on fol. 112r, 126r, 145r, 169v, 195r, 222r, 240r. Many "droleries" painted in blue and red throughout the text; many 2-line initials painted in blue, pink, red and pale yellow throughout the text (some of them are animal-shaped); fol. 86v: a capital 4-line U decorated with a human face, possibly Ulpianus. Fol. 10v, pen drawing showing a human face with a pointing finger which resembles a bunch of flowers; fol. 182v, pen drawing showing a king with a tree on his head. Blue 3-line penworked initials and red 2-line penworked initials throughout the text. Alternated red and blue paragraph signs. Red rubrics.
Music: On inside front cover, used as pastedown, is a parchment leaf written in a cursive 15th-16th century German or Dutch hand, with musical notation on 5 lines.
Binding: Medieval binding (possibly early 15th century): leather over wooden boards, defective spine (it is possible to see that the spine was resewn). Many pins for the clasps (lacking) still attached on the boards.
Origin: Written in Bologna and glossed in Southern France during the second half of the 13th century.
Shelfmark: Berkeley, CA, The Robbins Collection, UC Berkeley School of Law, Robbins MS 270.

Latin.

On inside front cover, three verses on hexameters: "Iesus Maria. Religio et pietas omnium comitantur in astris. Post obitum bene facta manet eternaque virtutis. Non metuit Stigiis ne rapiatur aquis." On inside front cover, a 18th century bookplate with the coat of arms of the De Saporta family with the motto "Fortis custodia" written in a scroll; under the coat of arms there are the names "De Saporta. Lordonné F. Adolé". In the manuscript were also found: a business card belonging to "Charles Hanoteau, agregé de la Faculté de Droit, Lyon, Rue de Castries 13"; an invitation to lunch from Gabriel Alapetite, prefect of Rhone, and his wife to Monsieur Caillemer, and dated "dimanche 16 Novembre à midi"; a letter with his stamp ("Republique Francaise"); a letter addressed to Monsieur Caillemer; notes taken from the manuscript by a 19th century hand, in Latin: "Numquid res et pena possint peti? Distingue ... Si de pena legali, pena legalis habetur ... Si queritur de pena conventionali, aut queritur de pena que succedit loco contemptus ... Ea littera ista determinatur ... quod sic per litteram istam". The letter is addressed to "Monsieur Caillemer Doyen de la Faculté de Droit", but the date on the stamp is not legible.

RBCAG Robbins MS 270

RESTRICTED ORIGINAL: Use of original only by permission. Inquiries concerning this item should be directed, in writing, to the reference librarian for The Robbins Collection.

Robbins MS 270

Latin