The Smithfield Decretals (BL Royal MS 10 E IV)

Man reading a book, f. 4v.

Colloquial name(s): The Smithfield Decretals

Official name(s): British Library, Royal MS 10 E IV

Date: Last quarter of the 13th C or first quarter of the 14th C (source) or c. 1300-1340 (source)

Origin: Phase 1: Toulouse (?), S. France, dedicated to the University of Paris (source and source), Phase 2: London, England (source)

Online facsimile available via: The British Library Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts (select images) and The British Library Digitised Manuscripts (full facsimile)

The Smithfield Decretals consist of a Calendarium and the Decretals of Gregory IX, a collection of Canon Law issued by Pope Gregory IX in 1230 (see here). This manuscript was illustrated in two distinct phases: the first in Toulouse (?), S. France and the second in London, probably on the request of John Batayle, a canon of St Bartholomew's at Smithfield (source).

Basic descriptions of the illustrations are provided by the British Library with the facsimiles.