Writing, Confirming, Transmitting

Serious Topics

This lecture explores the foundation charter of Münster Abbey, drafted in 1123 by Count William of Luxembourg. Through documents from the 11th to the 13th centuries, it shows how charters were copied, reused, corrected and rewritten to preserve the abbey’s rights and build its memory. It also introduces diplomatics, the discipline that studies medieval records through their material form, drafting and transmission.