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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Decretum Gratiani
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A quick definition of Decretum Gratiani:
The Decretum Gratiani is a book of ecclesiastical authorities compiled by an Italian monk named Gratian around 1140. It is also called Concordia discordantium canonum, which means "the harmony of the discordant canons." Gratian analyzed questions of law by comparing different texts and drawing conclusions. Later scholars usually followed his work. The Decretum became an authoritative text-book and the canonist seldom went behind it. It is a great law-book that helped establish the canon law as a mighty system that stood beside or above the civil law.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Decretum Gratiani is a collection of ecclesiastical authorities compiled by Gratian, an Italian monk, around 1140. It is also known as Concordia discordantium canonum, which means "the harmony of the discordant canons".
Gratian analyzed questions of law by comparing different texts and drawing conclusions. His work became the basis for later canonist scholarship.
For example, the Decretum Gratiani became an authoritative text-book for canonists, who rarely went behind it. It was highly respected, similar to how English lawyers have paid reverence to Coke upon Littleton.
The Decretum Gratiani is an important historical document that shows the development of canon law and its influence on society.