Chirograph

The Charter partita (Latin, frequently also: Chirograph, dt: Part deed notch list ) was a "shared document " as used in the Middle Ages, when the seals were not yet in general use, especially in England and in the northwestern part of the continent.

Each party received a copy of the same wording (Charter pari cola) in the document, all copies of the document, however, were originally written on a piece, at the supreme part was a word or a maxim. When cutting the specimens also the word or mnemonic was in straight or irregular line intersected (Charter inden tata ). The authenticity of the document was thus testified that late joining of the parts had to fit the parts of the word or award. As the writers shared word used often Chirographum, the dominant in the German scientific literature designation.

Situation in Germany

The common name in Germany for such an instrument was notched List. The text of the document was written twice on a sheet of parchment, which was subsequently cut. The two parts had on three sides a straight edge, on the fourth but a wavy or serrated edge. Both parties were each given a part. Upon presentation of the certificate could be proved in this way authenticity by both papers fit without a gap together. Usually in the document was noted that there were two of them cut from one side copies. In order to enhance legal certainty, the documents were later additionally provided with one or more seals.