Institute for Medieval Studies

Session	110
Title	Problems and Possibilities of Early Medieval Diplomatic, I: Formulas and Realities - Did Charters Reflect Real Life?
Date/Time	Monday 9 July 2007: 11.15-12.45
Organiser	Allan Scott McKinley, Department of History, University of Birmingham
Moderator/Chair	Allan Scott McKinley, Department of History, University of Birmingham
Paper 110-a	'Charters in Plenty, if Only they Were Good for Anything': The Origins of the Charter and the Emergence of Bookland in Early England (Language: English) Martin Ryan, School of Arts, Languages & Cultures, University of Manchester Index Terms: Charters and Diplomatics; Law
Paper 110-b	Uncertain Origins: Comparing the Earliest Documentary Culture in Carolingian Catalonia (Language: English) Jonathan Jarrett, Institute for Medieval Studies / School of History, University of Leeds Index Terms: Charters and Diplomatics; Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 110-c	The Reality of Medieval Dispute Settlement: Problems with Formulae (Language: English) Alexander Ralston, University of Sussex Index Terms: Charters and Diplomatics; Law
Abstract	This session will concentrate on the way charter formulas interact with reality. Ryan will question whether the introduction of charters into Anglo-Saxon England reflects a change in legal procedures or simply a differing way of recording negotiation and compromise. Jarrett, using the evidence of where the formulas employed in Catalan charters of the 9th century, will draw conclusions about the Carolingian takeover of north-eastern Spain. Ralston will consider if the formulas used in records of dispute settlements are merely formulaic, or whether they reflect procedure.