cartularies

A cartulary is a collection of charters, a book or register containing copies of legal documents, especially those pertaining to the rights and possessions of a monastic or secular institution. These documents, typically written on parchment, served as proof of ownership, grants, and other significant transactions. Cartularies were crucial for maintaining records and asserting legal claims in medieval and early modern periods. They often contained not only charters but also chronicles, obituaries, and other administrative or historical information. The compilation of cartularies was a common practice for monasteries, cathedrals, and even royal or noble families. The contents of these books provide invaluable insights into the economic, social, and legal history of the times. Scholars study cartularies to understand land ownership, feudal relationships, the development of legal systems, and the administrative practices of various institutions. The preservation of these documents in libraries and archives allows for continued research and interpretation of medieval life.