decretals

DECRETALS. eccles. law. The decretals are canonical epistles, written by 
the pope alone, or by the pope and cardinals, at the instance or suit of 
some one or more persons, for the ordering and determining some matter in. 
controversy, and have the authority of a law in themselves. 
     2. The decretals were published in three volumes. The first volume was 
collected by Raymundus Barcinius, chaplain to Gregory IX., about the year 
1231, and published by him to be read in schools, and used in the 
ecclesiastical courts. The second volume is the work of Boniface VIII 
compiled about the year 1298, with additions to and alterations of the 
ordinances of his predecessors. The third volume is called the Clementines, 
because made by Clement V., and was published by him in the council of 
Vienna, about the year 1308. To these may be added the Extravagantes of John 
XXII. and other bishops of Rome, which, relatively to the others, are called 
Novelle Constitutiones. Ridley's View, &c. 99, 100,; 1 Fournel, Hist. des 
Avocats, 194-5. 
     3. The false decretals were forged. in the names of the early bishops 
of Rome, and first appeared about A. D. 845-850. The author of them is not 
known. They are mentioned in a letter written in the name of the council of 
Quiercy, by Charles the Bald, to the bishops and lords. of France. See Van 
Espen Fleury, Droit de Canon, by Andre.