Petrus de Natalibus

Petrus de Natalibus

Bishop, author of a collection of lives of the saints; date of birth unknown; d. between 1400 and 1406. No details of the early life of this hagiographer have been handed down to us. A Venetian, he consecrated himself to the ecclesiastical state, becoming a canon in Equilio (Jesolo). On 5 July, 1370, he was elevated to the episcopal see of that city. Details are also lacking regarding his pastoral activity. The last mention of him refers to the year 1400, and in 1406, another appears as Bishop of Equilio; the date of his decease, therefore, must be set between these two years (Eubel, "Hierarchia catholica medii aevi", I, 250). He is chiefly known as the author of "Legends of the Saints" in twelve books, a very valuable work with a wide circulation. In his arrangement of the various lives he follows the calendar of the Church. The collection, first printed in Vicenza, 1493, went through many editions, the last of which (the eighth) appeared in Venice, 1616.

FABRICIUS, Bibliotheca mediae et infimae aitatis, ed. MANSI, V, 93; POTTHAST, Bibliotheca historica medii aevi, 2nd ed., II, 918.

J.P. KIRSCH