Legal Definitions - innotescimus

Innotescimus is a historical legal term that refers to a formal certification, typically issued by a sovereign or governmental authority, for a document that was not officially recorded in public records. Essentially, it was a process by which a private instrument, such as a deed for land transfer or a grant of rights, was given official recognition and public validity through "letters patent" – an open public declaration that formally stated, "we make known" the contents of the unrecorded document.

This certification served to elevate the status of a private agreement or grant, making its existence and terms officially known and respected by a wider audience, despite its initial lack of public registration.

• Example 1: Certification of a Land Grant

  In medieval times, a powerful lord might grant a specific parcel of land to a loyal knight through a private deed, often called a charter of feoffment. This private document might not have been formally registered with a central public authority, which were less common or comprehensive than today. To ensure the land grant was widely recognized, respected, and to prevent future disputes over ownership, the King could issue an innotescimus. This royal certification, in the form of letters patent, would formally acknowledge and publicly declare the details of the private land grant, thereby giving it official royal backing and public validity.

• Example 2: Validation of a Guild's Privileges

  Imagine a medieval craft guild that established its own internal rules, membership criteria, and exclusive trading privileges through a private charter. While binding on its members, this private document might lack broader legal standing in the town or kingdom. To secure official recognition and enforcement of these privileges, the town's governing council or even the monarch could issue an innotescimus. This official certification would publicly declare and validate the guild's private charter, ensuring its provisions were respected by external authorities and the wider community.

• Example 3: Formal Recognition of a Private Agreement

  Consider two noble families who, to avoid a costly legal battle over an inheritance, reached a private settlement agreement outlining how assets would be divided. This agreement was a private contract, not a court judgment. To give this private settlement greater legal weight and prevent either party from later challenging its terms, a higher authority, such as a royal court, might issue an innotescimus. This act would formally certify and make known the existence and terms of their private agreement, effectively elevating its status to a publicly recognized and enforceable arrangement.