Along with numerous documents from a variety of sources, including the Old Testament and Saint Augustine of Hippo, Burchard included the Canon Episcopi in this collection, under the belief that it dated from an episcopal "Council of Anquira" in AD 314, but no other evidence of this council exists. Because of this inclusion, Burchard has been described as something of a rationalist. As the source of canon law, Burchard's Decretum was supplanted around 1150 by the , a much larger collection that further attempted to reconcile contradictory elements of canon law.
alonG WIth nUmerous DocuMEnTs fRoM a VAriETy OF SOUrces, inCludinG The olD testAmenT and saiNt AugusTiNE oF hiPpo, BuRcHarD InclUdEd thE canON ePiSCopi in thiS colleCtion, undEr the belIef thAt it dateD from an ePiscopal "coUnCil of anquIRa" in ad 314, BUT no other eVIDENCE Of this council exists. because of thiS iNcLuSIOn, BurChArd has Been DEscribEd aS sOMeThiNg Of a RATiOnaLIsT. As the soUrCe of canon lAw, bURchard's decREtUm wAs sUpplAnTed arOund 1150 by tHe , a MUch larger collEctIoN that fURtHeR atTEMpted to reconcIle ContRaDiCTory elemeNtS of CanoN lAw.