Condensing Knowledge: Martin de Azpilcueta’s Manual for Confessors and the Phenomenon of Epitomization

• In Event: Universal Libraries, Global Bibliographies

Abstract

My proposal focuses on the process of epitomization of canon law and moral theological knowledge in the Manual for Confessors written by the celebrated Spanish canon lawyer Martin de Azpilcueta (1492–1586). By analysing the sources of Azpilcueta’s Manual I’ll try to understand the way in which the author translated and condensed the learned university canon law knowledge — related to his experience as a canon law teacher in Salamanca and Coimbra — into a pragmatic manual, which was addressed to both learned people and simple confessors and penitents. By placing the Manual in the ancient and Medieval tradition of the Epitomae, I’ll consider the Manual as a “library” of selected volumes, with a double universal aim: not only condensing the amount of knowledge that the consciences of a new and larger universalem mater ecclesiam needed, but also making a text which could reach everyone.

Author

• Manuela Bragagnolo, Max-Planck-Institut für europäische Rechtsgeschichte