Summa

1220·Latin·384 pages PDF (197.9MB) Source

One of the most comprehensive works of early thirteenth-century moral theology, covering simony, usury, oaths, vows, tithes, and related cases of conscience. Robert of Courson (ca. 1160/70–1218), an English-born theologian trained under Peter the Chanter at Paris, composed the Summa c. 1208–1214. He later became a cardinal legate of Innocent III and a central figure in the preparatory councils for the Fourth Lateran Council (1215). BnF Latin 14524 is a thirteenth-century manuscript copy, 186 folios, in two-column Gothic script.

Author

Robert of Courson

Robertus de Corcun

1160–1218

Readings

Questions on Simony

Questiones de simonia

Robert of Courson's simony treatise from his Summa (c. 1208–1214). Structured as a series of questiones, the treatise begins from the question of whether general absolutions and remissions granted by pope and bishops truly benefit the recipients, then proceeds through a sweeping treatment of simoniacal heresy: its definition and varieties; the validity of sacraments conferred by simoniac priests; remedies for those who have unwittingly received orders or sacraments from them; the proper election and installation of clergy; simony in patronage rights, oblations, and tithes; and canonical procedures for purging and penalizing simoniacs, including appeals to Rome. The treatise draws throughout on Gratian's Decretum, the papal Decretals, Scripture, and the Parisian theological tradition. BnF Latin 14524, ff. 18v–118r.

Robert of Courson·1214·Latin·Questiones de simonia·fol. 18va–118ra