The Exserpta in the Origins of the Science of Canon Law

Abstract

Who, when and where were the Exserpta ex decretis Sanctorum Patrum used? This chapter explores these issues focussing on the glosses to the first part of the manuscript Sankt Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, 673 (Sg). From the quantitative point of view, the glosses of Sg are scarce and do not form a unified whole. From the qualitative point of view, most of them are Allegationen, Nota and Rubrikenglossen. There is also a significant number of Worterklärungen and some diskursive Erörterungen. The glosses were added at different times and all of them are anonymous. The oldest glosses are contemporary or very close to the copy of the Exserpta. This set of primitive glosses was not taken from a manuscript of the Decretum and precedes the erste Glossenkomposition (Bologna, 1150s). A second series of 18 glosses agree with the glosses of the erste Glossenkomposition. Two other marginal glosses of Sg agree with the comments of the Stroma Rolandi (Bologna, c.1150–1160s). From the late forties to the late sixties some students used the manuscript Sg to write down the lectures of the decretists in Bologna. This fact gives a certain degree of authority to the work preserved in Sankt Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek 673.