Legal Definitions - literae sigillatae

Literae sigillatae is a historical Latin term that translates to sealed letters. It refers to any official document, communication, or record that has been authenticated, secured, or made legally binding through the application of a physical seal, typically made of wax or lead. The seal served as a mark of authenticity, authority, or confidentiality, indicating that the document was genuine and had not been tampered with.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of literae sigillatae:

• Royal Proclamation: Imagine a monarch in the 16th century issuing a new decree concerning taxation or land ownership. To ensure that all subjects recognized its legitimacy and authority, the official document outlining the decree would be prepared and then affixed with the royal seal, pressed into wax. This act transformed the document into literae sigillatae, signifying that it was an authentic command from the sovereign and carried the full force of law.

• Diplomatic Correspondence: In historical international relations, when an ambassador sent a crucial message from their sovereign to a foreign ruler, the letter containing the sensitive information would be carefully folded and sealed with the sending kingdom's unique emblem. This seal served two purposes: it guaranteed the confidentiality of the message during its journey and authenticated its origin upon arrival. Such a sealed diplomatic letter would be considered literae sigillatae, assuring the recipient of its genuine nature and preventing unauthorized access.

• Medieval Testament: Consider a wealthy merchant in the Middle Ages drafting their last will and testament, detailing how their property should be distributed after their death. To prevent any disputes or alterations by family members or rivals, the completed will might be officially sealed by a notary public or by the merchant themselves, often in the presence of witnesses. This sealed document, the literae sigillatae, would then be stored securely, its seal providing evidence of its finality and integrity, making it a legally recognized and unalterable declaration of intent.