Capitular Witnesses

Manuscripts and documents for the history of the Church of Vercelli in the Middle Ages

By Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

Reliquary (Late 14th Century) by Local goldsmithFondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

Stories revealed by the treasures of the Library and Museum

Artworks, documents and manuscripts today tell the stories of men, priests and bishops of Medieval Vercelli. Donations and legacies dating from the 10th century to the 14th century that testify to the richness of St. Eusebius Cathedral.

Scroll with Acts of Apostles (First half 13th Century) by Local scriptoriumFondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

The ancient Cathedral

The Acts of the Apostles scroll recalls the decorative apparatus of the ancient Cathedral of St. Eusebius and it is related to the miniatures of Codex C, an Evangelistary made in Vercelli between the 12th and 13th centuries.

Scroll with Acts of Apostles - Philip, Local scriptorium, First half 13th Century, From the collection of: Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

Scroll with Acts of Apostles - Paul and Sila, Local scriptorium, First half 13th Century, From the collection of: Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

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Codex C, Stoning of Eusebius, Local scriptorium, Early 13th Century, From the collection of: Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

Codex C, Local scriptorium, Early 13th Century, From the collection of: Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

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Bookbinding of manuscript C (Second half 12th Century) by Lombard goldsmithFondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

S. Albert and Vercelli

The binding of Codex C is related to the patronage of Albert, Patriarch of Jerusalem and bishop of Vercelli between 1181 and 1205. A gift for a priceless treasure, the manuscript, was only used during the most solemn celebrations.

Bowl with Vices, German workshop, First half 12th Century, From the collection of: Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

St. Thomas Bowl, German workshop, First half 12th Century, From the collection of: Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

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Thanks to the legacy of Archpriest Guglielmo de Capitaneis, the Cathedral was enriched with three bronze basins engraved after 1235. He had given them to Archdeacon Vercellino, who later joined them to the church treasury.

Filling of the Cross (1000) by Lombard workshopFondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

Bishop Leo and the Resurrection of the Church

The filling of the Crucifix (10th century) recalls the deeds of Bishop Leo, (998-1026). Leo, who came to Vercelli from the imperial court, restituted dignity to the Church after enemy invasions and destruction. Among other deeds, he commissioned the monumental Crucifix.

Codex CLV St Eusebius Vessillo, Local scriptorium, Half 10th Century, From the collection of: Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

Bookbinding of manuscript A, Lombard goldsmith, Second half 10th Century, From the collection of: Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

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The Codex CLV arrived in Vercelli around the end of the 10th century. The dating is certain thanks to the addition of a blessing dedicated to St. Eusebius, the so called Vessillo. Eusebius was tangibly present in the history of Vercelli after his death and for many centuries thereafter. Thanks to manuscripts, his relics in the Cathedral and widespread images, such as that of the binding of Codex A donated by BERENGARIUS REX in the 10th century.

Codex V (First half 14th Century) by Bolognese scriptoriumFondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

Martino de Bulgaro

Major donors include Martino de Bulgaro, archdeacon in the Cathedral until his death in 1368. Among his bequests is Codex V, the Decretales of Gregory IX, a manuscript produced in Bologna. A record of some of de Bulgaro's other gifts was added to the codex in 1350.

Testament (14th Century) by Local scriptoriumFondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

The last will

Martino de Bulgaro's legacies are listed in his will of 1365. In the document he also specifies some rules for the administration of the legacy to the Cathedral and other religious bodies. Among the instructions is the inalienability of the goods.

Cross reliquary, Italian goldsmith, 16th Century, From the collection of: Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

Thorns reliquary, Italian goldsmith, 16th Century, From the collection of: Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

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Codex LXXXVIII (Last quarter 12th Century) by French scriptoriumFondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

Magister Cotta

Canon Cotta, magister of law, brought the most advanced European theological formulations to Vercelli. In life through his teachings, after death through manuscripts. His will of 1194 lists fifteen manuscripts donated to the Chapter Library.

Codex LXX, Antiphonary (End 13th Century) by Local scriptoriumFondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

Mandolo Alciati

Codex LXX was written in Vercelli in the last quarter of the 12th century. The date is certain due to the presence of St. Thomas Becket who was canonized in 1173. Becket's relics came to Vercelli very early, thanks to Canon Cotta.

Codex LXXXVII, French scriptorium, Last quarter 12th Century, From the collection of: Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

Codex LXXXVIII, French scriptorium, Last quarter 12th Century, From the collection of: Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

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Styles, donations, legacies intertwining, following the red cord that begins in the hands of St. Eusebius.

Credits: Story

The exhibition "Capitular Witnesses" was projected in connection with the 8th Congress of the Vercelli Historical Society "The Vercelli Church in the Middle Ages (11th-15th centuries) - Vercelli, Nov. 24-26, 2022.
The temporary exhibition, in presence at the Museo del Tesoro del Duomo (Nov. 23-Dec. 21, 2022), was realized with the contribution and collaboration of the Archdiocese of Vercelli, the Metropolitan Chapter, the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Vercelli and the Province of Vercelli, in network with MUVV - Museums of Vercelli and Varallo and with Servizio Civile.

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Fondazione Museo del Tesoro del Duomo e Archivio Capitolare

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