Legal Definitions - ingrossator

An ingrossator was historically a specialized clerk whose primary duty was to formally write out legal documents, official records, or important instruments onto parchment. This role involved meticulous penmanship to create the final, authoritative version of a document, often for permanent record-keeping or official presentation.

• Example 1: Medieval Court Records
  In a 14th-century English court, after a judge delivered a verdict in a significant property dispute, an ingrossator would meticulously transcribe the full judgment, including the arguments presented and the final ruling, onto large sheets of parchment. This document would then become the official, permanent record of the court's decision.

  Explanation: This illustrates the ingrossator's role as a clerk responsible for creating official records. The judgment, being a critical legal instrument, required a permanent and authoritative form, which the ingrossator provided by carefully writing it on durable parchment.

• Example 2: Royal Charters
  When a monarch in the 12th century wished to grant new privileges to a town or confirm the rights of a monastery, an ingrossator in the royal chancery would be tasked with drafting the final, elaborate royal charter. This involved carefully penning the legal text, often with decorative elements, onto high-quality parchment, which would then be sealed.

  Explanation: Here, the ingrossator is creating an "instrument"—a formal legal document with significant implications. The use of parchment ensured its longevity and official status, and the ingrossator's skill was crucial for producing a document worthy of royal authority.

• Example 3: Feudal Land Grants
  Imagine a feudal lord in the 15th century formally granting a parcel of land to a knight in exchange for military service. An ingrossator would be employed to prepare the official deed of grant, detailing the boundaries of the land, the terms of service, and the legal transfer of ownership, all inscribed precisely on parchment.

  Explanation: This example highlights the ingrossator's function in creating a legal "record" or "instrument" related to property. The parchment document served as irrefutable proof of the land transfer, and the ingrossator's role was to ensure its accurate and formal creation.