praedatum

Praedatum is a Latin noun used in historical and legal documentary contexts to denote a date assigned to a document that is earlier than its actual creation date. It derives from prae- meaning before and datum meaning date, and appears in medieval and early modern Latin manuscripts in forms such as praedatum or predatum.

In practice, predating a document served several purposes. It could reflect the date of an act or event the record describes, align the document with a particular fiscal or legal period, or satisfy customary or patronal expectations. Predating is commonly seen in notarial records, royal charters, and chronologies where the written date is made to correspond with a prior event.

Modern editors and scholars distinguish true creation dates from retroactive dating. Predating a document can raise questions of authenticity and legality; in many jurisdictions it is treated with caution or prohibited if used to misrepresent timing. If retroactivity is recognized, it is typically described as backdating or as having a retroactive effect rather than simply predating.

In archival and palaeographic practice, praedatum is noted as part of dating in manuscripts; editors may include editorial notes to indicate predating or uncertain dating. The concept is of interest primarily to historians, paleographers, notaries, and students of medieval and early modern documentation.

See also: dating, backdating, paleography, notary, charters.