A LETTER-LOCK CHARTER
Letterlocking is the act of folding and securing a written message (such as a letter) on parchment or paper, without requiring it to be contained in an envelope or packet. It is a traditional method of document security that utilizes folding and cutting. 1/
Letterlocking is the act of folding and securing a written message (such as a letter) on parchment or paper, without requiring it to be contained in an envelope or packet. It is a traditional method of document security that utilizes folding and cutting. 1/
The process dates to the 13th century in Western history, corresponding with the availability of flexible writing paper. Letterlocking uses small slits, tabs, and holes placed directly into a letter, which combined with folding techniques are used to secure the letter. 2/
A letter-locked document cannot be opened and read without breaking seals or slips, providing a means of tamper resistance and tamper evidence. These folds and holes may be additionally secured with string and sealing wax. 3/
The Tudor indenture with letterlock shown here & in the video above, is signed by Matthew Parker, Archbishop of Canterbury, & dated 1st May 1573. Parker left a priceless collection of manuscripts, largely collected from former monastic libraries, to his college at Cambridge. 4/
The Parker Library at Corpus Christi @ParkerLibCCCC bears his name today and houses most of his collection. It can be consulted digitally online here: 5/
parker.stanford.edu
parker.stanford.edu
For more on letterlocking, see here: 6/
letterlocking.org
letterlocking.org
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