Historical and Legal Milestones of Medieval Papal Elections

Abstract

The subject of this study is the legal order´s analysis of papal elections in the Middle Age. The author concentrates on three fundamental provisions – the In nomine Domini decree of 1059 and the constitutions Licet de vitanda of 1179 and Ubi periculum of 1274. The presented analysis of the electoral legislation includes as the legal aspects, so historical context and implications for the further development of papal elections. The considerable attention is paid to the complicated relationship between papacy and College of Cardinals, whose role in the electoral process grew steadily.