1599 – Rationale Divinorum Officiorum – Durand | Famous Church Liturgy History

William Durand was a 13th-century French liturgist and canonist known for his important canonical treatises, including Rationale Divinorum Officiorum. This work was first written while Durand was in Italy, and was written as a symbolism of Christian ritual. It portrays what liturgy was like during the 13th-century in relation to churchmen, structure of ceremonies, and the physical layout of church. Composed in eight distinct books, ‘Rationale’ also deals with the hierarchy of church officials, liturgical clothes, acceptable furniture in the church, the divine office, and the holy mass. Today, ‘Rationale’ is considered one of the main authorities on medieval Western liturgies.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Rationale divinorum officiorum
• Author(s): William Durand
• Publisher: Venetiis: Marcus Antonius Zalterius
• Edition: 1599 edition.
• Binding: Full vellum
• Format: (8vo), single volume
• Size:  8 x 6 in (20 x 15 cm)
• Collation: 375 numbered leaves
• Contents Include:
  • on liturgical structure
  • Church hierarchy and offices
  • Ceremonial practice and vestments
  • Description of church interiors
  • Divine Office and Mass
• Reference(s): USTC 827935

Condition:

Good. Full vellum binding tight and secure, with visible wrinkling and staining but no material loss. Many page corners and edges show loss. Pages display moderate age toning.

Why Collect This?

• Influential medieval liturgical text in a 1599 Venetian edition
• Suitable for collectors of liturgy and canon law

Item Number: #50209