Beschreibung:

Leaf from Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, in Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment, with another leaf from a contemporary legal concordance [France, thirteenth century] Leaf from the Summa Theologiae, in double column of 57 lines of a tiny and rounded university script (with distinct. V, quaestio I, solutio III-quaestio II, articulus II), red or pale blue paragraph marks, running titles ('D/V') in capitals in same colours, original folio no. '32' at upper outer corner of recto, 3-line initials in red or blue with long whip-like penwork in contrasting colours, these sometimes terminating in clusters of three coloured dots, some 'nota bene' marks with 'clover-symbols' at head and long vertical penstrokes parallel to text columns with human faces picked out in penstrokes, some contemporary and near-contemporary marginalia indicating use, some spots and stains, a few tears at edges, else good condition, 342 by 226mm., France, thirteenth century; with another leaf from an apparent legal concordance, in three columns of approximately 85 lines of tiny script with numerous abbreviations, and cadels in uppermost lines, paragraphs marks in red or dark blue, running titles in vertical margin in blue and red capitals ('QII'), with one contemporary marginal addition 'Causa XI', discoloured in places with splits to edges and scuffs in places, overall fair condition, 323 by 236mm., France, thirteenth century The first leaf here is a fine example of a medieval university copy of perhaps the most influential theological work of the Middle Ages by one of its greatest scholars. Thomas Aquinas (1225-74) was a leading light of the scholastic movement, rediscovering, translating and synthesising the previously lost works of Aristotle with Christian thought. The present work is unfinished, but still acted as the fundamental compendium of the entire teachings of the Church intended to instruct students in medieval theology.