Guido de Baysio

Who was Guido de Baysio?

Guido de Baysio was an Italian canonist.

The probable place of his birth is Reggio, where he also studied law under Guido de Suzaria. Here he became, successively, doctor and professor of canon law and also obtained an ecclesiastical benefice as canon. Gerhard, Bishop of Parma attached Guido to himself; and remained his patron also as Cardinal-Archbishop of Sabina. To this patron Baysio dedicated his chief work, a commentary on the Decretum of Gratian, which he wrote about the year 1300 and entitled Rosarium Decretorum. It is a collection of older glossaries, not contained in the Glossa Ordinaria, and principally compiled from Huguccio. Many additions to the glossary which are found in the editions, published since 1505, are taken from the Rosarium of Baysio and appear over his name.

In 1296 Pope Boniface VIII appointed Baysio Archdeacon of Bologna, and chancellor of the University of Bologna. Here he at first taught canon law privately and later on became a public professor, a position he held for three years.

Called to Avignon in 1304 he retained the dignity of archdeacon, held the office of papal chaplain, and also served in the Apostolic chancery until his death.