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Schardius, Simon, 1535-1573.

Schardius' Lexicon Iuridicum : Roman/Canon Law

Lexicon Iuridicum, Simon Schardius, 1600,
SchardiiS-1600.jpg
Lexicon Iuridicum, 1600

Simon Schardius was a humanist publisher and writer who, it seems, was deeply suspicious of the power of the papacy; he published his own and other writers' works discussing this topic in addition to his dictionary. The epistola dedicatoria seems to indicate that he was a well-respected lawyer connected with the monarchy.

In the dictionary published after Schardius' death, under the catalog of authors from whom he derived his definitions, is a gracious epitaph for the deceased man, praising him for his life and the fame he garnered with his work, asserting that he will now have eternal life, and for that readers should spare their tears. There is also a long ode in praise of the dictionary by Casparo Stempero Crvcinacensi, which stated in part (as a rough translation): "As this work has certainly enhanced the law, so does the law beautify this work."

The definitions are generally short, clear, and simple in the large folio: for example: "vagabundus: constantly wandering; means never having a stable dwelling-place, nor having a steady home."


Bibliography

  1. LEXICON IURIDICUM, siue, Verborum et rerum ad iuris Rom. ciuilis simul et pontificii theoriam et praxim pertinentium thesaurus locupletiss. Coloniae Agrippinae : Apud haeredes Ioannis Gymnici ..., M. DC. [1600]. CALL # Oversize KJA 56 S32 1600

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