regestum

Regestum, also regesta in plural form, is a term from Latin used in diplomacy and archival science to denote a brief abstract or digest of a document, particularly a charter, grant, or papal bull. A regest summarizes the essential facts and content of the original text and typically records metadata such as date, place, parties, witnesses, and the nature of the act, along with a concise paraphrase of its main provisions.

Purpose and use: Regesta were produced by chancelleries and archivists to facilitate access, organization, and retrieval in large collections. They allowed researchers to ascertain relevance and locate the full text without consulting the complete document. In many archives, regesta formed the core of cartularies or catalogues and often served as cross-references to the original roll, book, or register.

Historical context: The practice developed in medieval and early modern Europe with increasing numbers of charters and acts. Regesta are particularly associated with papal chancelleries, royal, and imperial archives, where standardized summaries helped manage diplomacy and governance. In later scholarship, regesta extend to regional and national collections and to projects that publish abstracts of sources, including those for imperial or royal acts.

Significance: Regesta are a fundamental tool in diplomatics and medieval studies, enabling chronological sequencing, analysis of authorship and provenance, and efficient access when full texts are not readily accessible. They provide a portable, standardized record that complements the study of original documents.

See also: diplomatics, charter, cartulary, register.