Catholic Church.- Council of Trent.- [A Sammelband of 69 Addresses, Decrees and other documents from the Council of Trent], in Latin, individual works ranging from 2ff. to 16ff. in length, many with woodcut papal arms of Pius IV to titles, nearly all other titles with woodcut printers' devices, one in red and black, a large folding woodcut illustration at rear (some light browning at folds, single tiny hole with verso paper repair), 6ff. ink manuscript index to rear likely in 18th century hand, very scattered minor spots or stains, a couple of individual works with damp-stains or foxing, but overall generally clean, eighteenth century vellum with gilt label to spine, somewhat toned and soiled, 4to (c.206 x 140mm.), Brixen, Padua, Riva del Garda, 1562-63.

⁂ An incredible record of the third and final period of the Council of Trent, spanning 1562-63, this single-volume collection of 69 individual works is possibly historically unique. With the highest number of attendees, including a significant delegation from France (now embroiled in its own religious civil wars), it was in these final sessions of the Council that many rules and reforms characteristic of the Counter Reformation were established. The majority of the 69 pamphlets here-bound are addresses ['Oratio'] to the Council, delivered by an array of pan-European theologians, Augustinians, Dominicans and Franciscans, ambassadors, arch-bishops, cardinals and oriental patriarchs covering a similarly wide array of topics. Additionally present are the Decrees from the final five sessions, a detailed list of provincial Cathedrals and another of papal legates and various papal documents such as Bulls and Motuo Proprio. Also of interest are the imprints - nearly all published at the near-by provincial towns of Brixen (or Bressanone) in the mountains to the north and Riva del Garda to the south, today both in the Italian province of Trentino-Alto Adige but then in the Holy Roman Empire - which not only speak of the Council’s fascinating geo-political locating at Trent, but also suggest a desire for rapid print and distribution particularly north of the Alps, a recognition of and retaliation with the power of the printed word as a weapon in the arena of religious reform.