Current Archives Exhibit

The MacMillan Law Library began systemically acquiring manuscript deeds in 2015. Our collection now holds over 250 documents ranging in date from 1286 to1921. Most are from England, with a few from Wales, Scotland, France, Italy, and the United States.

While the text in these deeds is usually tedious, repetitive, and difficult to read, the physical presentation is often quite striking. In particular, the law clerks who were responsible for writing the documents frequently lavished much attention on elaborate and decorative (“engrossed”) renderings of the initial letter. In English-language deeds, this was usually the letter “T” in the phrase “This Indenture” (an indenture was a contract between two or more parties). This style drew upon the long tradition of illuminated manuscripts created in British and Irish monasteries. It also might have served as an anti-forgery measure.

This exhibit offers 15 especially striking examples from the age When T’s Flourished.