charte

Charte is the French noun for a formal document known in English as a charter. It denotes a written grant issued by a sovereign, city, church, or other authority that defines rights, privileges, or obligations for individuals, communities, or institutions. The term derives from Latin chartae through Old French, and in modern French it can refer to both historical charters and contemporary founding documents.

In historical contexts, charters played a central role in the development of towns and legal systems in medieval Europe. They often established town privileges such as the right to hold markets, exemption from duties, or self-government; in ecclesiastical settings, charters documented monastic or cathedral foundations, endowments, and privileges. Seals and royal confirmations were commonly attached to charters to authenticate them.

In contemporary usage, the concept persists in civil and corporate law. A municipal charter, sometimes called a charter or constitution of a city or town, outlines governance structures, membership criteria, and jurisdiction. A corporate charter, or articles of incorporation, creates a legal entity and defines its purposes, powers, and management. Educational and religious institutions may obtain charters that authorize their establishment and mission.

Geographic names or personal surnames sometimes bearing the term can be found in Francophone regions, though such uses are uncommon in English-language contexts; the English cognate is charter.