The decretals of John XXII in the Extravagantes Communes

Abstract

This study aims to deepen our understanding of the decretals issued by Pope John XXII (1316-1334), which have been included in the collection known as Extravagantes Communes, an integral part of the Corpus iuris canonici. It seeks to provide a broader and more organic framework for the legislative work of the Avignon pontiff, exactly seven hundred years after the formation of the collection known as Extravagantes Iohannis XXII, which - compared to the vastness of that work - contains a relatively modest number of his legislative acts. A systematic study of the decretals requires a prior analysis of the collection known as Extravagantes Communes. Therefore, reference is made to its historical antecedents and the events through which the collection was formed. Necessary references are also made to the figure and work of Jean Chappuis, the creator of the collection. We then move on to an analytical study of the decretals of John XXII gathered in this collection, grouping them according to the subjects covered and attempting to identify their specific contents and the motivations on which they are based, with a view to reaggregating the acquired data, also in relation to the decretals collected in Extravagantes Iohannis XXII. The overall findings made finally allow as to draw systematic conclusions on the entire subject matter covered.