Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, April 8th, 2025
the Fifth Week of Lent
There are 12 days til Easter!
Attention!
For 10¢ a day you can enjoy StudyLight.org ads
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!

Bible Dictionaries
Diplomatics, Papal

1910 New Catholic Dictionary

Search for…
or
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Dioscorus
Next Entry
Diptych
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links

(Greek: diploma, an ancient writing; literally, paper twice folded)

The science of ancient official documents; it arose during the Middle Ages in the necessity for safeguarding from forgery papal Bulls and other instruments. The procedure includes the study of the text of the document; manner of dating; signatures; attestations of witnesses; seals, and the attachment therof; the material and the manner of folding; and handwriting. The cross, as a siguature or the equivalent thereof, has been always important, as are such details as the Tironian or shorthand notes. Famous examples of spurious documents discovered by this means include the Forged Decretals and the Donation of Constantine. The true science of diplomatics was defined by Jean Mabillon in his celebrated work, "De re diplomatica" (1681).

Bibliography Information
Entry for 'Diplomatics, Papal'. 1910 New Catholic Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ncd/​d/diplomatics-papal.html. 1910.
 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile