Difference between revisions of "Chirograph (Cyrograph)"

Revision as of 10:22, 31 October 2007 (view source) Schow (Talk | contribs) ← Older edit		Revision as of 10:25, 31 October 2007 (view source) Schow (Talk | contribs) (→‎Papal Documents) Newer edit →
Line 16:		Line 16:
	===Papal Documents===		===Papal Documents===
	[[Image:papal.JPG|thumb|left|The papal chirograph]]		[[Image:papal.JPG|thumb|left|The papal chirograph]]
−	In modern times, the chirograph refers to a specific document that is issued by the Pope. According to the Secret Apostolic Archives of the Vatican, "It is written in Latin or vernacular on plain paper and lacking of any solemn character. Contrary to what one may deduce from this noun, this document is not entirely written by the pope himself; the pope intervenes directly (at least in the first period) only with his signature, consisting of the pope’s name followed by the ordinal number."	+	In modern times, the chirograph refers to a specific document that is issued by the Pope. According to the website of the Secret Apostolic Archives of the Vatican, "It is written in Latin or vernacular on plain paper and lacking of any solemn character. Contrary to what one may deduce from this noun, this document is not entirely written by the pope himself; the pope intervenes directly (at least in the first period) only with his signature, consisting of the pope’s name followed by the ordinal number."
	===Notarial documents===		===Notarial documents===

---

Revision as of 10:25, 31 October 2007

The Chirograph was a legal document held between two parties and authenticated. Written on a piece of vellum or parchment, a chirograph would be used for various medieval, papal or notarial document which was then irregularly cut apart and divided among the parties.

History and Use

“The chirograph supposedly had its origins in Anglo-Saxon England, where the practice of using notaries to ratify legal documents was not continued generally after the Roman era.”

Authentication

The text on the chirograph was copied twice on the same sheet of vellum or parchment and written between the two sections was the word “cirographum.” The copies were then cut through this lettering, usually in a wavy or irregular manner in order to avoid forged copies. When the two copies were brought together, it would prove the document authentic and free for ratification between the two parties. It would be hard to fake these documents, as the lettering itself was unique as well: "Written in round court-hand, with heavy main-strokes; the strokes below the line drawn out into a point or a hair-line; those above, looped or turned over to the right. In line 2 a transposition of words is indicated by double oblique strokes" (Bond).

Multiple Meanings

The roots of chirography “really only means a hand-written document – from the Greek, xeiro=hand, and graphos-writing” (Stoller).

Various Uses

The chirograph dealt with a variety of issues (including legal and notarial matters) in a variety of situations. Whether they were drawn up by courts or by two willing participants, the chirograph was effective and sealed in front of a jury of witnesses. Not only would the halves serve as authentication, but the witnesses would varify by testimony as well. There were no signatures on a chirograph.

Medieval Documents

Papal Documents

In modern times, the chirograph refers to a specific document that is issued by the Pope. According to the website of the Secret Apostolic Archives of the Vatican, "It is written in Latin or vernacular on plain paper and lacking of any solemn character. Contrary to what one may deduce from this noun, this document is not entirely written by the pope himself; the pope intervenes directly (at least in the first period) only with his signature, consisting of the pope’s name followed by the ordinal number."

Notarial documents

Taking Care of Business

The language of a chirograph was very specific.

Translation: "The abbey undertakes to pay to Roger and Floria thirty mares, twenty at 'Hokeday' [2nd Tuesday after Easter] and ten at teh Nativity of St. John the Baptist [24th June]. Under the penalty of twenty mares to be paid 'in subsidium Terre Sancte'; to deliver to them six oxen and two plough-cattle ('affri'), six cows and six yearling calves, from the abbey's manor of Preston [Preston-Bisset], and twenty quarters of suitable wheat, in compensation for the winter sowing of their land at Thornborough; and to set up their gates from Thorenborough at Preston; also to build, at the souther end of the hall at Preston, a 'solar' room, measuring thirty by eighteen feet, with fireplace and wardrobe, and two sufficient windows in the hall; and a kitchen with an oven, and in it a stable for six horses; and to sow with the Let sowing the manor of Preston, to the use of Roger and Floria. They, on the other hand, grant to the abbey their land of Thornborough, with its winter sowing and all appurtenances, to hold in frank almoign. Movable goods on either property to remain with the original owners. Dated, Sunday before the Purification of the Birgin, 1250[1]."

Works Cited

• Bond, Edward Agustus, Edward Maunde Thompson, and George Frederic Warner, THE PALÆORAPHICAL SOCIETY. Facsimiles of Manuscripts and Inscriptions. Second Series, Volume II, (London : William Clowes and Sons, Limited, 1884-1894).

• [[ ]], Anglo-Saxon Manuscripts and their Heritage"