Penn in Hand: Selected Manuscripts

[Capitula Mirabelle] [manuscript].

[Naples and Mirabella], 1551-1731.

69 leaves : parchment and paper ; 285 x 208 mm. bound to 291 x 211 mm.

Collection of statutes concerning the community of Mirabella in the Kingdom of Naples. The earliest section (f. 1r-28r) is dated 1551. This includes the "gravamina" of the people of Mirabella against Fabritio Giundatio, baron of Mirabella (1548-1551) and other legal documents. There are many later sections and additions, the latest of which appear to date to 1731 (f. 53v, 55v). The collection is preceded by an index (f. ii recto-iii verso) and followed by subscriptions of officials (f. 63r-65r).

Ms. codex.

Title from former 17th-century cover (now pasted inside front cover of modern binding).

Foliation: Parchment and paper, ii (modern paper) + 4 (paper) + 54 (parchment) + 6 (paper) + 2 (parchment) + 3 (paper) + ii (modern paper); [iv], 1-50, [51-65]; contemporary foliation in ink, modern foliation in pencil, upper right recto.

Script: Written in a variety of humanistic and cursive scripts by many different hands.

Binding: Modern quarter leather with gilt title Mirabella Statutes. Previously bound in 17th-century leather; former upper cover pasted to inside upper cover of current binding; has stamped and gilded design of a royal coat of arms and the date 1647. Folios 59-60 are completely loose from the binding.

Origin: Written in Naples and Mirabella in 1551, with additions made through the 18th century (Zacour-Hirsch).

UPenn Ms. Codex 269

Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts University of Pennsylvania Ms. Codex 269