Commentary Par X 103-105

Gratian, the twelfth-century collector and organizer of canon law, who in his Decretum, according to some of Dante's commentators, tried to harmonize secular and ecclesiastical law, the two courts referred to in verse 104; others believe Dante is referring to two functions of the Church, the sacramental and judgmental.

After the slam Dante has put in Folco's mouth against decretals ([Par IX 133-135]), it seems strange to some that Gratian is so well rewarded.  See Forti (Fort.1968.1), pp. 371-73, for the history of the dispute among the commentators caused by Dante's inclusion of Gratian here.  And see Adversi (Adve.1995.1).