Institution of the Rule

The reliefs on this capital represent the founding of the Sant’Orso and the institution of the Rule of St. Augustine, which was confirmed by a bull of Pope Innocent II in 1133 (1132 modern dating).

The figures involved are identifiable through inscriptions: Bishop Herbert of Aosta (ERBERTVS EPISCOPUS), Prior Arnulf (ARNULFVS QUI REDDIT PRIMVS PRIOR), St. Ursus (SCS VRSVS), St. Augustine (SCS AUGUSTINUS EPISCOPVS), and St. Peter (SCS PETRVS APL).

The south and east sides of the capital are taken up by the central action of the story: St. Ursus leads Arnulf, the first prior of Sant’Orso, to St. Augustine, who receives the Rules.
The scene is flanked on the north side by the Apostle Peter, to whom, along with St. Ursus, the cloister is dedicated, and on the west side by Bishop Herbert of Aosta. The latter is depicted in the act of blessing the handing over of the Rule and holds in his hand an open book with the inscription BENE / DICIT / PRIORE (M).

Not by chance has the capital been transferred immediately next to the one, which, by the inscription, involves the institution of the Rule (S13B36).

Ursus SCS rule REDDIT QUI PRIORE prior PRIMVS pope PETRVS Peter order inscription Innocent-II Herbert handing-over founding ERBERTVS EPISCOPVS DICIT bull book blessing Bishop BENE AVGVSTINVS Augustine ARNULFVS Arnulf apostle APL 1133 1132 (M) VRSVS