Matilde e Irnerio. Origini e persistenze di un'immagine medievale

Purpose of this article is the discussion of some sources related to Irnerio and Matilde of Tuscany: medieval documents of the 11th and 12th century, chronicles of medieval and modern age and a particular picture dating back to 17th century. From the famous record of Burcardo (13th century) depends the story of Johann Turmair in his Annales Boiorum (16th century) and the decoration commissioned by Francesco I of Este for the ducal apartment in the Palace of Sassuolo (near Modena), in particular a scene that shows Irnerio presenting the roman law to Matilde. The possible dedication to Matilde by Irnerio of a first juridical work based on the adaptation of roman law drawn from the legislation of Justinian is also discussed. The work of Irnerio was very important for the rediscovery of roman law, but it’s significant to note that Irnerio takes part in various trials as causidicus or as iudex in the years 1112, 1113, 1116 and 1118, but roman law is never applied. This trials are solved only by the well-known procedure of the investitura salva querela.