PAUCAPALEA (Pocapaglia). — Decretist; nothing is known of his life. It is commonly believed that he was a monk, though it is uncertain whether he taught at Bologna or was merely a collaborator or disciple of Gratian; some authors describe him as a bishop. His origin is entirely unknown.
He is remembered in canon law as the first glossator of Gratian’s *Decretum*, and his interpretations and annotations were widely cited. Surviving his master, he became the leading figure among the decretists (v.). He compiled his glossatorial work into a *Summa* (c. 1140–48; 1143–44 according to others). He also wrote several *historiae*, that is, explanations of passages from Holy Scripture already cited in the *Decretum* or proposed as examples. Despite the uncertainty of concrete data, his glosses allow him to be counted among the finest interpreters of the *Decretum*.