bulls (papal records)

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Scope note
Particular types of formal documents issued by the pope and sealed with a bulla (a round, usually leaden seal) or sealed with a red-ink imprint of the device on the bulla. Papal bulls were originally issued by the pope for many kinds of public communication, but since the 15th century have been reserved only for particular types of solemn written communication in which the pope refers to himself as "episcopus servus servorum Dei," meaning "Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God." Scholars may use the term to describe any elaborate historical papal document issued in the form of a decree, privilege, and sometimes in the form of a letter.
bulls
Accepted term: 06-May-2024