Prolegomena to the study of governance through the written word - Locus credibilis and the evolution of the chirographs

Abstract

The present study is a research of the most recent works regarding the institution known as a place of authentication in the Middle Ages. The interest for this ecclesiastical institution is a way to understand the ascending theme of government that dominates the present European society, dominance achieved by means of the written word. Starting with the 13th century the Latin Western World developed centralized institutions, in order to consolidate and bureaucratize the affairs of the crown. In the case of the medieval kingdom of Hungary, this institution, the locus credibilis, has been described erroneously as a unique institution, much as the concept of familiaritas. By means of a comparative approach we bring arguments against this idea, and encourage further studies regarding the means of implementations and reception of the medieval law.