First information by the Vatican Secret Archive on the upcoming release including a famous and rarest 16 century document. The work, achieved by Scrinium and belonging to the collection "Exemplaria Praetiosa", will receive an official premiere for the international audience at the Holy See on 24 June 2009.    Download Text Word Image hight resolution               Vatican City - 12 May, 2009 EXEMPLARIA PRAETIOSA IIII CAUSA ANGLICA THE COMPLICATED CASE OF KING HENRY VIII'S MARRIAGE The Vatican Secret Archive and Scrinium present today the first exemplar of “CAUSA ANGLICA – the complicated case of King Henry VIII’s marriage”, perfect facsimile reproduction of the “Letter of the peers of England to pope Clement VII asking for the annulment of King Henry VIII’s marriage with Catherine of Aragon”. This extraordinary achievement, in coincidence with the 500th anniversary of the king’s accession to the throne of England, brings a document of the greatest importance to the attention of researchers, collectors and enthusiasts. The setting of today’s event, the repository where the original document has been conserved in perfect condition for centuries, increases the significance of this important occasion. We would like to express our special thanks to His Excellency Monsignor Sergio Pagano, Prefect of the Vatican Secret Archive, who exceptionally accepted to open His private study to that end. The parchment was originally drawn up in two exemplars in 1530 and it bears an extraordinary set of seals, entirely conserved in the copy at the Vatican Archives, whereas its English counterpart in the National Archives in Kew is more damaged, almost illegible and lacking all the 85 original seals.  Today, we will have the special opportunity to approach such a rare document and, at the same time, to appreciate, in a direct comparison, the objective accuracy and faithfulness of the first facsimile reproduction, achieved after years of thorough research on original materials and technical features by eminent scholars and specialists On 24 June, 2009, day of the official premiere of “Exemplaria Praetiosa IIII - Causa Anglica”, the Vatican Secret Archive and Scrinium will reveal the full body of historical studies and scholarly texts accompanying the edition and providing many original hints for a critical reappraisal of facts. Due to the special size of the document itself and the rich display of wax seals, Venini, the most important glass manufacturing company in Murano, will produce a display unit  purposely designed for Scrinium.   “Causa Anglica” is the fourth release of the editorial project “Exemplaria Praetiosa” including most accurate reproductions of precious and rare documents, manuscripts, papal bulls conserved for centuries by the Vatican Archives. In 2007, the publication of “Processus contra Templarios”  has drawn and still keeps drawing the attention of enthraalling academics, most refined collectors, as well as outstanding libraries and universities across the world.   The achievement of a facsimile reproduction, provided that it is inspired by an uncompromising passion for the truth and carried out with the utmost scientific precision, is an essential cultural contribution, as it allows for a closer access to invaluable treasures and likewise gives a contribution to their spread and value. .   Ufficio Stampa: Studio Systema - Venezia 041 5201959 ufficio.stampa@scrinium.org

 

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