Henry of Segusio, a professor of law at the universities of Bologna and Paris, died at Lyon in 1271. His Summa Aurea (Golden Summary) was an early treatise on canon law (church law) that was so important that it was repeatedly copied after his death. This leaf comes from one such early copy.
What is a Table of Consanguinity?
Consanguinity diagrams were used to show the degree of kinship between an individual and his or her blood relations. These tables followed an established tradition dating back to around ad 600. Until church law was relaxed in 1215, a marriage could only be contracted by persons separated by seven degrees of relationship. After 1215 the degree of separation was reduced to four. Tables of consanguinity were therefore used by church officials to regulate marriage.
