Papal Bull of Pope Paul V, 1618
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Description
What is a Bull?
“Bull” refers to the metal seal that authenticates the document, much as we authenticate documents with signatures. The practice dates back to ancient Sumeria, where impressions were made in clay in order to track and authenticate transactions. This practice remained unchanged for 4,000 years. It was adopted by the Romans, who used lead rather than clay. The lead was heated to soften it to create the impression, hence the word “bulla” which derives from the Latin word meaning “to boil.”
Papal Bulls took on a standardized form, with representations of Saints Peter and Paul pressed into one side of the Bull, and the name of the Pope issuing the decree on the reverse. Click the link see a close-up of the Bull authenticating this document.
Publication Date
9-17-2020
Recommended Citation
Deppe, Jacquelyn, "Papal Bull of Pope Paul V, 1618" (2020). Archives Digital Exhibits. 5.
https://scholarship.shu.edu/archives-exhibits/5
