Simon of Bisigniano

Biography

• Probably studied in Bologna, maybe under Gratian according to remarks in his Summa.
• Probably taught Canon Law. Was called Magister (?).

Activities as Canonist

• Wrote a Summa in decretum (probably around 1174), strongly influenced by John of Faenza and important for its methodology (schemata).
• Can be seen as the first Canonist, who saw the importance that papal decrees derogate the Decretum Gratiani and older laws. Thus, importance for clarifying and highlighting papal power and legislation.
• helped to make the Extravagantes part of canonistic teaching.
• his summa has influenced Huguccio, Sicardus and the Summa Lipsiensis.

Editions and Sources

• BISIGNANO, Simon de: Summa in decretum Simonis Bisinianensis, ed. Petrus V. Aimone Braida, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Città del Vaticano 2014.
• Summa in Decretum Simonis Bisinianensis. Prolegomena, curavit Petrus V. Aimone, Fribourg 2007. 
• Summa in Decretum Simonis Bisinianensis. Prolegomena, editit Petrus V. Aimone, Fribourg 2007.  

Introductory Secondary Literature

• JUNCKER, Josef: Die Summa des Simon von Bisignano und seine Glossen, Zeitschrift der Savigny-Stiftung für Rechtsgeschichte/Kanonistische Abteilung, Vol. 15, 1926, pp.326-500.
• McLAUGHLIN, T.P: The Extravagantes in the Summa of Simon of Bisignano, in: Medieval Studies, Vol.20, Brepolis 1958, p.167-176.SCHULTE, Johann Friedrich: Die Geschichte der Quellen und Literatur des canonischen Rechts. Von Gratian bis auf die Gegenwart, Vol. 1, Ferdinand Enke, Stuttgart 1875, pp.140-142.