VINCENTIUS HISPANUS. - Canonist, who lived in the thirteenth century. His origin and identity are disputed.
The appellation Hispanus and the existence of a bishop Vincentius at Saragozza (1239–44) led scholars to believe him Spanish (Schulte, Wernz). More acceptable is Gillmann’s conclusion, which considers him Portuguese (like Petrus Hispanus), a regular canon of S. Croce at Coimbra, dean of the cathedral Chapter of Lisbona, chancellor of King Sancio II, bishop of Idanha-Guarda (1229; d. 21 Sept. 1248).
He studied canon and Roman law at the school of Accursio in Bologna, where he was also a teacher. His writings were numerous and famous, though unpublished: Apparatus ad Compilationem I, Apparatus ad Compilationem III, Apparatus ad Canones Concilii Lateranensis IV (1215); he was the first commentator on the Decretals of Gregorio IX (1234: « Apparatus » [Creavit Deus hominem in virili aetate ...] and « Casus in Gregorianas Decretales » [Gregorius. In prima parte dicitur quod a Deo]). He glossed the Compilatio II, the Leges, and probably the Decretum Gratiani.