The Authors of the Twelfth-century Charters of the Abbey of Baupre,Diocese of Beauvais (FR)

Abstract

The electronic reproduction of the unedited charters of the Cistercian Abbey of Beaupre, Diocese of Beauvais, allows for the study of their diplomatic features and, more particularly, offers the possibility of answering this question: To whom would the abbey apply for the confirmation of donations received? It was mainly from the bishops of Beauvais from whom the Abbey of Beaupre would request such documents, rather than from the too distant pope or the absent king. Save for a number of exceptions, not until the last decade of the century would the lay donors act as disposers of such deeds; prior to that, whenever they conferred a donation under reserve of payment of a yearly census, they would receive and retain a copy of the chirograph, readily produced for the occasion.