Anselmus - Commentaria ad Perpetuum Edictum - 1664

LAW, POWER AND ORDER: THE SPANISH-BELGIAN PERPETUAL EDICT
Splendid contemporaneous binding of the Commentaria ad perpetuum edictum by Antonio Anselmo represents one of the most imposing legal instruments of the early modern period in the Spanish Netherlands. The work is based on the Perpetual Edict promulgated in 1611 by Albert and Isabella, governors of the territories, and offers a systematic, interpretative, and applicative reading. It is not merely a commentary, but a true normative mechanism that translates law into practice, integrating court decisions, customs, and official interpretations. In this sense, the volume becomes a mirror of a State seeking to consolidate its control through codification and legal order, transforming law into a tool of governance and stability.
MARKET VALUE
Great sixteenth- and seventeenth-century legal works of the Netherlands, especially in complete editions and in contemporary bindings, are appreciated in collecting and antiquarian circles, though remaining a specialized field. Copies in good condition typically fetch between 500 and 900 euros, with variations tied to the quality of the binding and the internal freshness.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION
Splendid contemporary full calf binding, spine with raised bands and gilded decorations and title, boards richly framed by borders and blind-embossed motifs; signs of wear. Typographic title page with allegorical engraving depicting Albert and Isabella; ex libris with the motto “Fructus concordia” present. Leaves with natural browning and foxing. In old books with a many-centuries-long history, a few imperfections may be present, not always noted in the description. Pp. (2); 12mo; 332; 20mo; 216; (2).

FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR
Commentaria ad perpetuum edictum serenissimorum Belgii principum Alberti et Isabellae.
Antverpiae, apud Petrum Bellerum, 1664.
Antonius Anselmus.

CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
The Perpetual Edict of 1611 represented one of the most significant attempts to unify and rationalize the law in the Southern Netherlands under Spanish rule. Anselmo’s work fits into this context as an authoritative and systematic commentary, intended for jurists, magistrates, and legal practitioners. Through the integration of judgments, customs, and interpretations, the text builds a coherent legal system that reflects the needs of a modern state in formation. The volume testifies to the shift from fragmentary law to more centralized codification, and it represents a fundamental source for understanding the legal and administrative practice of the seventeenth century in the Flemish territories.
Interesting is the book’s belonging to the Van Havre family, a Flemish surname attested mainly in Antwerp.

IDENTIFICATION OF THE FAMILY
The Van Havre were a patrician family of the Southern Netherlands, active between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, with strong urban roots in Antwerp.
The coat of arms:
- presence of rampant lions as supporters, a symbol of strength and prestige, often associated with lineages that wish to emphasize dignity and noble aspirations;
- heraldic crown above the shield, indicating recognized noble status;
- helmet with plumereal crest and rich mantling, typical of families integrated into the official heraldic system;
- lateral banners, a rarer element, with ceremonial and identitary function, almost martial, emphasizing the family’s public role.

GEOPOLITICAL LOCATION
The Van Havre were based in the Southern Netherlands, particularly in the Antwerp area, one of Europe’s most important economic and cultural centers between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In 1665 the context is that of the Spanish Netherlands under the rule of the Spanish Habsburgs.

BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Antonius Anselmus (16th–17th century) was a jurist active in the Spanish Netherlands, known for his studies on civil and administrative law. His main work, dedicated to the commentary on the Perpetual Edict, demonstrates a deep knowledge of legal practice and local institutions. His work enjoyed wide diffusion among legal professionals, contributing to the standardization of procedures and normative interpretations.

PRINTING HISTORY AND CIRCULATION
The work was published in Antwerp in 1664 by Petrus Bellerus, one of the leading printers active in disseminating legal texts in the Netherlands. The “editio secunda” indicated on the frontispiece signals a revision and expansion compared to the first edition, with additions and corrections reflecting the evolution of legal practice. Dissemination was significant among professionals, particularly among magistrates and lawyers operating in the territories under the Edict’s jurisdiction.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
ICCU/OPAC SBN: copies cataloged by editions of Anselmus, Commentaria ad perpetuum edictum (record 1664 to be verified)
STCN (Short Title Catalogue Netherlands): Anselmus, 1664, Antwerpen, Bellerus (identification to verify)
WorldCat: multiple records for seventeenth-century editions of the Commentaria (OCLC to verify)
Brunet, Manuel du libraire, I, col. 298 (entry Anselmus)
Graesse, Trésor de livres rares et précieux, I, p. 132
Bibliotheca Belgica: repertories for Flemish legal production